Petrobras Increases Offshore Work Scale to Curb the Spread of Covid-19 on Oil Platforms

There Are Real Risks of Shortages of Oil Derivatives if the Epidemic Reaches the Platforms. Petrobras Is Taking Appropriate Measures to Mitigate the Problem

Petrobras had to take a few more severe measures to try to prevent Covid-19 from reaching its oil platforms. According to the state-owned company, the way found was to increase the shipping scale of its tankers and subcontractors to minimize the circulation of the virus.

On our page, many did not like this measure, but the workers were understanding as much as possible. Confinement in normal situations is not easy to deal with, only maritime professionals are used to this type of regime since cruises, cargo ships, and other long-haul vessels require at least a 60×60 schedule.

NOTE ISSUED BY PETROBRAS

Petrobras has been continuously monitoring the global health situation arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and taking measures to protect its employees (both in-house and contracted), as well as to prevent the spread in the regions where it operates. In addition to the measures already adopted – such as intensification of remote work in administrative activities, monitoring of suspected cases, and preventive actions prior to boarding – the company will immediately implement safe workforce reduction actions and adjustments to work schedules in its maritime units. These include:

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– Reduced workforce to the minimum necessary in offshore units, ensuring safety;

– Special schedule for the teams that will continue boarding, considering prior isolation of 7 days in a hotel provided by Petrobras, 21 days onboard, and 14 days off.

There will be no loss of remuneration for workers. Everyone will receive normal pay, including those not called for boarding, and those who have extended shifts will receive overtime payment, including the isolation period.

These measures will reduce the circulation of people, shift changes, and the number of flights to platforms, thus decreasing exposure to the risk of contagion.

The company is in contact with unions and government authorities and reassesses daily the adoption of new measures. Find out about other initiatives already adopted:

– We have intensified remote work in all activities that can be performed remotely. All individuals in the at-risk group are also working remotely, in any activity. We advise our service providers to take the same measures.

– At boarding locations, everyone’s temperatures are being checked, a medical history is taken, and health guidelines are reinforced. If any crew member exhibits symptoms onboard, they will be immediately disembarked and there will be follow-up for all individuals who had close contact.

– Individuals returning from business or vacation trips abroad will be quarantined, performing activities from home.

– We have suspended all international travel. Within national territory, we are only maintaining those strictly necessary, with all prior precautions and health guidelines.

– We have suspended events and in-person meetings with more than 20 people and intensified online meetings.

– We have intensified cleaning routines, health services, and guidance to employees so that all preventive measures are taken.

These preventive initiatives align with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health and aim to contribute to the efforts of the entire population and authorities to mitigate risks, reduce circulation in public spaces, keeping people in their homes.