3191 A recommended fitness standard for the oil and gas industry

Overview:

Fitness standards are becoming an increasingly common practice in industry and the emergency services.  These standards include measures of strength, endurance, anthropometrics, flexibility, motor skills, cardiac and metabolic fitness.

This publication provides an introduction to fitness standards and makes recommendations for minimum fitness standards for people who work in the oil and gas industry. Minimum standards have been evaluated for common critical tasks with a significant physical fitness component e.g. valve turning and ladder climbing. The evidence base for these standards is contained within this publication as well as guidance on administering the tests.

The workplace benefits in a number of ways through the introduction of fitness standards. It ensures employees are physically capable of completing the essential tasks of their jobs to at least the minimum acceptable standard and reduces the human and economic risks of employing physically unfit individuals in physically demanding jobs. Implementing standards also ensures selection is based solely on the ability to complete tasks and is therefore fair and unbiased to all.

This publication will be of particular interest to occupational therapists and other health specialists working in the oil and gas industry, as well as allied process industry sectors.