Dressing for safety in Alaska's oilfields: Keeping Alaska's oilfield workers well-supplied with safety apparel and equipment.

• Author: Mackenzie, Kathryn
• Position: OIL & GAS

The average person getting dressed for work likely doesn't have to put a whole lot of thought into what to wear on a daily basis. Maybe one spends a few minutes deciding whether that paisley tie goes with that striped shirt or if those new six-inch heels are actually work-appropriate, but, in general, your life doesn't depend on your outfit-unless your workplace is a vast sheet of ice with no natural barriers to protect you from fierce, hurricaneforce winds teeming with tiny ice daggers.

When you work in Alaska's extreme conditions, your uniform becomes your lifeline. Oilfield workers don't just face danger from weather, they also risk being exposed to fire, falls from great heights, shocks from electrical equipment, and myriad other dangers that could easily end in disaster. Requiring workers wear proper gear at all times is part and parcel of an effective oilfield safety program. Brian Hoshiko, corporate sales director at Big Ray's; Michael Stoddard, safety sales specialist at Matheson Tri-Gas; and Tim Green, supply chain manager at ConocoPhillips, offer tips on how to make sure workers are properly dressed for life in Alaska's oilfields.

Gearing Up from Head to Toe

The first step each employer should take is to provide workers with a detailed list of all the items needed to complete their specific jobs. This includes the gear, the tools, and all the equipment because those needs change based on the facility and the hiring company, says Hoshiko.

"Generally, a worker will need steel-toe boots or a cold weather boot and anti-slip traction devices. And, depending on conditions and the facility, coveralls or work clothes, cold weather gear, a coat, and gloves. Many petroleum facilities require flame retardant [FRC], outer-layer clothing, such as FRC coveralls."

Frequently, the company provides Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as hearing protection, hard hats, and safety glasses. In some cases a respirator or a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus may be required onsite. If there are other specialized tools or equipment required of the worker, often an employer will provide those items.

ConocoPhillips provides essentially all the equipment and gear workers need as they head to oilfield sites. "I can't speak for every provider or every situation, but in most cases the employees don't have to foot the bill for that stuff. For our employees, we provide these items. Most contractors I know of, their employers provide that, but I can't say...