A world-leading training and development programme introduced is routinely saving lives in the UK's oil and gas industry, the head of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) offshore division Ian Whewell has claimed.

Speaking to People Management, Mr Whewell explained that the oil and gas training programme was introduced in the wake of a report published by the HSE in 2007 which called for a greater commitment to safety in the offshore sector.

He explained: "Many senior managers in the offshore sector had risen through marketing and accountancy but had not come through the engineering ranks. There was a surprising lack of recognition of the full significance of managing major risks."

Now, empowered with the requisite training, senior managers have helped to establish the UK oil and gas industry as one of the safest in the world.

His comments followed a report published by the HSE showing that the industry achieved zero fatalities for the second consecutive year last year.

Oil and Gas Directory: Training and Development