Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organisation (OPITO)
OPITO LOGO:
What is OPITO?
OPITO is the global skills body for the energy industry and is a non-profit organisation.
OPITO is an organization which imparts training about Safety and Safe Working Procedures on Platforms and Rigs. It is a well reputed and accepted Organization Worldwide, even though not accepted in Court of Law but given respect and weight, in case of any discrepancies.
OPITO is committed to developing a safe, skilled, and mobile global workforce, able to work competently across the energy industry.
The Energy Skills Alliance is a cross-industry group led by OPITO, with a goal of identifying, inspiring and developing the skills needed to deliver a net-zero UK energy industry and all-energy workforce.
OPITO sets industry standards for oil and gas training providers and courses. OPITO provide documentation and access to oil and gas industry safety.
For whom do we offer OPITO courses?
If you are employed in the oil and gas industry, you are probably familiar with the term OPITO. The abbreviation OPITO stands for Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization. The goal of the organization is to achieve globally accepted guidelines for the oil and gas industry.
OPITO was established in 1977 to ensure safety in the oil and gas industry. In addition, the Offshore Petroleum Industry Training Organization wants to help the industry with innovations and job creation. In collaboration with industry stakeholders, OPITO identifies the needs and requirements for new and improved training and competency standards for both onshore and offshore. To make sure everyone working in the industry can do there job according to the safety standards, global standards were developed that are taught in OPITO courses. Each OPITO training providers needs to meet the requirements of OPITO.
Why OPITO?
Because being employed in the offshore industry often comes with a lot of dangers and because the work is conducted at open sea, the right medical and safety training is of vital importance. Emergency services can be miles away and therefore take much longer to get to the scene of the accident compared to when something happens on the mainland. OPITO training centres need to receive permission from OPITO to be able to offer their courses. These courses need to be of high quality and meet the standards of OPITO.
Courses Offered.
OPITO basic course is called the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET). This is a three-day training. Without a valid BOSIET certificate, it is not possible to work offshore in the oil and gas industry.
What is the importance of BOSIET?
The BOSIET with the CA-EBS or Compressed Air Breathing System training allows the workers to identify the generic hazards of the offshore oil and gas installations, along with the potential risks related to those hazards, including how controls and protocols are used for eliminating or reducing those risks.
CA-EBS.
You can also follow the OPITO Compressed Air Emergency Breathing System (CA-EBS) training. Furthermore it’s possible to choose a combination course, such as BOSIET with EBS and CAEBS. The CA-EBS certificate is mandatory if you work in the North Sea area. This certificate is valid indefinitely.
It is also possible to obtain your OPITO E-BOSIET certificate through e-learning. This is the OPITO E-BOSIET (Digital Delivery BOSIET), which allows you to train for only 1 day at the training center. You learn all the theory at home through e-learning.
OPITO refresher course.
Every 4 years you must renew your OPITO certificate. This is possible with the refresher course Further Offshore Emergency Training, or the FOET.
Other OPITO courses.
In addition to the OPITO basic training and refresher courses, you can also attend the HUET and OPITO Banksman & Slinger course at FMTC Safety. The HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) is intended for anyone who has to travel by helicopter to and from an offshore destination. You can take this course with and without the CA-EBS. The OPITO Banksman & Slinger Stage 1 & 2 is an OPITO-approved training and is intended for employees who are involved in lifting work on a drilling platform.
What are the benefits of BOSIET training?
BOSIET training ensures that all personnel are aware of all the associated risks, and that they can take preventive measures to minimize or eliminate the risks where possible in order to prevent accident or loss of life on the sea.
Er. Basanta K Mahallik
Marine Chief Engineer / Faculty
Sri Chakra Maritime College, Puducherry