Oil and gas companies are always under scrutiny for causing environmental concerns such as oils spills or fires. The reality is that these companies take employee safety very seriously, as it is a very dangerous profession and can be perilous. Although oil and gas companies do not want oil spills and other disasters to occur, the safety of their employees is an equal priority for them. This requires a need for certain resources to assure safety and efficiency.
Communications are critical for ensuring the safest work environment possible in these high-noise and potentially explosive environments. When starting to consider which communication solutions work best for your oil and gas company, keep in mind this checklist:
Hearing Protection & Situational Awareness
The first and most obvious solution an oil and gas employee needs is quality hearing protection. Noise should not be eliminated completely, rather it should be mitigated so that employees can maintain situational awareness. Most people assume the best technology out there is active noise-cancellation; however, this technology makes the wearers less aware of hazards, alarms, or even warnings shouted by other employees. The better technology is noise suppression and volume limiting.
Intrinsically Safe
It can be dangerous to assume that your headsets are safe from igniting when working in an explosive environment. Especially in oil and gas environments, explosions or fires can easily occur due to the presence of flammable gases or other combustible vapors or dust particles. Intrinsically safe headsets are meant to keep the headset user safe by preventing any spark from occurring inside the electrical components of the headset when exposed to heat.
Wired or Wireless?
With the widespread use of mobile broadband devices, forward-looking oil and gas companies accelerate the use of wireless (intrinsically safe) Bluetooth-enabled communication devices. To pair with these devices, whether they be digital radios or smartphones, wireless (intrinsically safe) headsets much be considered. Or if companies prefer analog communication devices, a wired option is needed. Sensear’s SM1P series offers a cable connection at the ear cup for use as a wired headset along with the ability to unplug the cable and use it as a completely wireless headset via Bluetooth® and Short-Range.
Headset-to-Headset Communications
Another form of communication to consider is headset-to-headset communication or Short-Range, as we like to call it. When communicating with workers in proximity, Short-Range gives employees the ability to communicate on the same FM frequency without the need for two-way radios or broadband devices.
Comfort
An often-unconsidered aspect of hearing protection is comfort. Hearing protection that isn’t worn is no protection at all. Choosing the right solution that will be comfortable and convenient for use on the job and throughout the workday is vital. Companies may want to consider conducting fit tests for all their employees to ensure that proper hearing protection levels are achieved.
Sensear’s Ultimate Communications Solution
Sensear has a long history of partnering with the world’s leading oil and gas companies to find the right high-noise communication solutions to implement across their operations. Because of their long-standing relationships with the oil and gas industry, we have developed powerful communication solutions for a wide variety of applications. Sensear’s premier intrinsically safe headsets can connect to Bluetooth® and analog two-way radios, Bluetooth® smartphones, and tablets while also providing headset-to-headset communications. All while providing the comfort and hearing protection your employees deserve.
Along with these features, all of Sensear’s communication solutions include their patented SENS® Technology. SENS® simultaneously enhances speech and suppresses background noise so that users can verbally communicate, protect their hearing, and still maintain 360° situational awareness of their surroundings in high-noise environments.
Contact Exloc for more information on how you can upgrade your hazardous areas communications and take full advantage of latest technology avaliable!