Off-shore

[blue047]

hi,

does anyone on here or know someone that works for chevron in the north sea on an oil platform?

I was offered a job as a production operator but have had it withdrawn today due to me being t1. from what I've found so far on the net is that I need to have 6 months of good control in which I've been well controlled if not excellent for 8 years now.

 

[ElyDave]

I work offshore occasionally. There is also another newbie on here, Hale something who also works for an operator. I'm a contractor personally, so visit different platforms each time.

I've only been diagnosed t1 for about a month, but I've spoken to my offshore doc and he gave me the OGUK guidelines. The 6-months stable is one of them, the rest are:
- you must be able to manage your insulin by yourself
- you must not have hypo unawareness
- complications will need to be assessed by the examining doctor against relevant criteria
- you examining doctor will need an up to date report from your specialist when they see you
- the operators medical adviser must be consulted and must agree to you going onto a rig
- the installation medic must be competent to deal with any diabetes related emergency
- there must be iv glucose and glucagon on the rig
- certification must be to a named platform and will be restricted to a max of a year

Are they excluding you on any particular one of the criteria?

 

[mo1905]

Dave is correct, Hale works in this profession and will hopefully advise you further when she catches this post.


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[blue047]

Thank you for getting back to me, after getting the news from HR I spoke to the company doctor on the reasons and for what I can remember, I was still in shook is that the doctor wanted to restrict me to;

no working at height, no working alone and no confined space work.

My GP was contacted for my medical notes and since I was diagnosed 8 years ago, I've got an excellent record with no complications. The thing is I've worked on a refinery doing a job which involved me doing the above.

 

[mo1905]

Although I don't work off shore, once diagnosed, I too was taken off of operational duties for a 6 month period of evaluation. However, there has not actually been any evaluation. It has been 4 months now and nobody from upper management has asked for any BG readings or how I am coping etc. Ultimately, it's just written down that I can't be operational for 6 months. After that, doc signs a letter and back to duty. Paper pushing exercise really but just another set of hoops I have to jump through !

 

[hale710]

Hi there!

I'm afraid everything stated above is correct. There are wildly differing rules for onshore and offshore sites too which adds to the confusion.

If your consultant is contacted and can confirm you have had good control for 6 months then there is no reason you cannot go offshore. Unless you're planning on being the OIM or a role where you would have to act as OIM!

I have worked for Chevron myself and, although I wasnt diabetic at the time, found them an excellent company to work for. I have many friends there now and can have a quick ask if there are any T1s offshore. I should imagine there is a fair few.

Quick question though, are you on MDI or a pump? I've a few queries on the pump and offshore which I've still to get bottomed out. But if you're on a pump that is possibly why is was withdrawn.

I hope to get back offshore soon, my work has requested my 6 months if control doesn't start until after I've completed DAFNE and I completely support that. The course is in November hopefully!

 

[hale710]

no working at height, no working alone and no confined space work.

To this I know that for BP I can also add no FPSOs, no drill ships, no helicopter journeys over 1 hour. So chevron may have similar rules. Which asset was it for?

If I wish to work at a refinery the above rules still apply, but if I MUST go out alone I have to radio back in to the control room that I'm alive and well every 30 minutes. Talk about patronising!

 

[blue047]

Thank you hale710,
I'm not on a pump, I'm on NovoRapid and Lantus insulins. My consultant hasn't been contacted only my GP.
The installation I was going to was chevron's Captain FPSO.
I would appreciate you finding out if anyone you know are off shore with chevron and there roles as the doctor I spoke said he knows of no production operators.
I shall be speaking to a doctor at Abermed as I had a medical there last year before I had a job offer as i was getting everything in place and he said once I knew what company/platform he would issue a certificate with a restriction to that platform no mention of restricted work


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[hale710]

Ahhh Captain, I know it well

Well the FPSO part could be the issue. Due to erratic conditions at times it is harder to get a medi-vac etc BP decided it wasn't worth the risk with me so it could be a similar issue?

My GP has no say in my offshore activities. In fact he doesn't even know that's my career. The consultant at the hospital says whether I'm safe. Are you based in Aberdeen? The consultant is very helpful. He said when I go to my clinics I have to specify that I see him rather than any of the registrars, so he can be sure I'm nicely controlled for offshore travel and then he will provide confirmation to my company.

 

[thebassist84]

I work in the offshore sector in Aberdeen but I'm based onshore. As far as I'm aware, if you've worked offshore before diagnosis then most companies are fine with it as long as your controlled. I was diabetic long before working and have been refused many a job because of it. I know one guy who does it, but he's never told anyone about his diabetes! That's been about 12 years! Saying that, if they need someone to go offshore, they'll find a way!

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[blue047]

Are you based in aberdeen?

No I'm no where near you, I'm down south in Essex....... Flood gates now open for TOWIE abuse :lol:

I need to wait for the letter from the doctor explaining his reasoning for his decision before I go any further with this.
Thank you everyone for your comments and any relevant info on this would be much appreciated.

Andy.

 

[IZ THE LEG END]

I am currently going through the diagnosis period my doctor has confirmed diabetes but is still trying to determine type, more blood tests! Some great info here a little worried as to where it leaves me I am a service engineer I work on rig downs on rigs/drillships/platforms worldwide I short notice... I am back Monday to hopefully shed more light on this so fingers crossed!

 

[AndBreathe]

I am currently going through the diagnosis period my doctor has confirmed diabetes but is still trying to determine type, more blood tests! Some great info here a little worried as to where it leaves me I am a service engineer I work on rig downs on rigs/drillships/platforms worldwide I short notice... I am back Monday to hopefully shed more light on this so fingers crossed!

IZ - I'll tag @hale710 , as she is the lady I was thinking of, and mentioned on your thread. Her profile suggests she hasn't been around since April, so we'll have to cross our fingers she may have alerts set for tagged messages. I guess you could either tag or message some of the other affected posters on this thread, and see if they have any insight to help you?

Are you comfortable, knowing how to tag and/or private message? I think (don't know) more people are likely to receive alerts for private messages.

 

[IZ THE LEG END]

Haha... I've not tried tagging yet on here but from seeing yours and other posts it's looking like @username but definitely worth a shot. Thanks for the help on this, really impressed to the support on here... Already feeling at ease! Thank you

 

[rontom89]

Hi folks,

I work for a service company in Aberdeen. Depending on which client is doing what with regards to drilling, I sometimes have to go offshore and do tests for fluids we pump downhole. I've been on the Forties Delta, Galaxy 2, Rowan Gorilla 6, Rowan Norway, Wilhunter and Noble Hans Deul and will be going to the Ocean Patriot in a month or so time. I also worked on our own frac boat off the coast of Denmark.

If the OIM or Captain along with the company man is happy and you've got your medical clearance (mines is done through CAPITA) then you can't get refused.

The boat I was on didn't have a helideck and the medic had never had training with regards to using the glucogen hypo kit. I still got on with my job and my work mates all knew exactly what to do anyway. I've never had a hypo offshore and with the amount of food you can constantly help youself to, none of us should.

And as for the "helicopter journey can't be longer than an hour", I find that to be complete rubbish. I'm pretty sure that's just a legal thing the Dr has to mention. Every time at check in when I show my stuff to security, they ask me if I want to keep it on me. I keep my glucose meter and glucotabs in my survival suit leg pocket. I constantly do my bloods when flying out to the rigs. It's good cause then it lets the rest of the folks travelling with you know that you're diabetic.

These days any of us that are getting discriminated, which lets face it, it's 99% of the time with these pen pushers, then we can just threaten to get a lawyer involved. Believe me it doesn't half work!! I've never seen paper move around so quick in your favour. But yeah, just take care of yourselves and the rest falls into place.

I hope this helps some of you newbies.

 

[IZ THE LEG END]

Hi folks,

I work for a service company in Aberdeen. Depending on which client is doing what with regards to drilling, I sometimes have to go offshore and do tests for fluids we pump downhole. I've been on the Forties Delta, Galaxy 2, Rowan Gorilla 6, Rowan Norway, Wilhunter and Noble Hans Deul and will be going to the Ocean Patriot in a month or so time. I also worked on our own frac boat off the coast of Denmark.

If the OIM or Captain along with the company man is happy and you've got your medical clearance (mines is done through CAPITA) then you can't get refused.

The boat I was on didn't have a helideck and the medic had never had training with regards to using the glucogen hypo kit. I still got on with my job and my work mates all knew exactly what to do anyway. I've never had a hypo offshore and with the amount of food you can constantly help youself to, none of us should.

And as for the "helicopter journey can't be longer than an hour", I find that to be complete rubbish. I'm pretty sure that's just a legal thing the Dr has to mention. Every time at check in when I show my stuff to security, they ask me if I want to keep it on me. I keep my glucose meter and glucotabs in my survival suit leg pocket. I constantly do my bloods when flying out to the rigs. It's good cause then it lets the rest of the folks travelling with you know that you're diabetic.

These days any of us that are getting discriminated, which lets face it, it's 99% of the time with these pen pushers, then we can just threaten to get a lawyer involved. Believe me it doesn't half work!! I've never seen paper move around so quick in your favour. But yeah, just take care of yourselves and the rest falls into place.

I hope this helps some of you newbies.

Thanks pal, this is the best news I've heard in a very long time, I am not quite on insulin just yet... I am LADA so could be any time haha...

With respect to the medical what info did they require from you/consultant? And did you have to have all clients listed on the medical certificate as this is another thing I heard?

Thanks in advance izzy

 

[ElyDave]

Hi folks,

I work for a service company in Aberdeen. Depending on which client is doing what with regards to drilling, I sometimes have to go offshore and do tests for fluids we pump downhole. I've been on the Forties Delta, Galaxy 2, Rowan Gorilla 6, Rowan Norway, Wilhunter and Noble Hans Deul and will be going to the Ocean Patriot in a month or so time. I also worked on our own frac boat off the coast of Denmark.

If the OIM or Captain along with the company man is happy and you've got your medical clearance (mines is done through CAPITA) then you can't get refused.

The boat I was on didn't have a helideck and the medic had never had training with regards to using the glucogen hypo kit. I still got on with my job and my work mates all knew exactly what to do anyway. I've never had a hypo offshore and with the amount of food you can constantly help youself to, none of us should.

And as for the "helicopter journey can't be longer than an hour", I find that to be complete rubbish. I'm pretty sure that's just a legal thing the Dr has to mention. Every time at check in when I show my stuff to security, they ask me if I want to keep it on me. I keep my glucose meter and glucotabs in my survival suit leg pocket. I constantly do my bloods when flying out to the rigs. It's good cause then it lets the rest of the folks travelling with you know that you're diabetic.

These days any of us that are getting discriminated, which lets face it, it's 99% of the time with these pen pushers, then we can just threaten to get a lawyer involved. Believe me it doesn't half work!! I've never seen paper move around so quick in your favour. But yeah, just take care of yourselves and the rest falls into place.

I hope this helps some of you newbies.

That's a good one, never thought of playing the "discrimination" card, just tried to apply the logic of a common sense approach to the use of the pump offshore.

@IZ THE LEG END , they just need a simple letter from your consultant, effectively saying that you can manage your own diabetes, ideally you'll have a decent HbA1c, and that you still have hypo awareness and haven't needed any external assistance for hypos in the last year, or been hospitalised due to the diabetes.

 

[IZ THE LEG END]

That's a good one, never thought of playing the "discrimination" card, just tried to apply the logic of a common sense approach to the use of the pump offshore.

@IZ THE LEG END , they just need a simple letter from your consultant, effectively saying that you can manage your own diabetes, ideally you'll have a decent HbA1c, and that you still have hypo awareness and haven't needed any external assistance for hypos in the last year, or been hospitalised due to the diabetes.

Thanks, I have held off saying anything to them upto now but the positive info you guys have given I'm feeling a little more comfortable discussing this with them, I have only had one Hb1Ac so far of 56 and I have a new one on the 23rd of this month, I am hopefully meeting the DSN this week so will see what she decides with respect to insulin and whether or not I should be carrying this offshore...

Just weighing up the PRO/CONS of telling them/not but definitely feeling a little more comfortable guess we will find out over the next few weeks... Suppose telling them is better than me requiring returning home to start insulin and them finding out that I knew the risk already...

Again thanks for everyone's help on this...

Just a quick one for you @ElyDave slightly off the subject I see you do a lot of running, I do also I ran 5 marathons in 5 days 2 years back and cover a fair distance weekly what do you carry on runs for unexpected hypo etc... Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance