There are real risks of oil product shortages if the epidemic reaches the platforms. Petrobras is taking the appropriate measures to mitigate the problem

Petrobras had to take slightly 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 scale of shipment of its oil tankers and third parties to minimize the circulation of the virus.

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

NOTE ISSUED BY PETROBRAS

 Petrobras has been continuously monitoring the global health situation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and adopting measures to protect its employees (own and outsourced), in addition to preventing the spread in the regions where it operates. In addition to the measures already adopted – such as the intensification of teleworking in administrative activities, monitoring of suspected cases and pre-shipment preventive actions – the company will immediately adopt actions to safely reduce the number of employees and adjust the work schedule at its maritime units. Are they:

– Staff reduced to the minimum necessary in offshore units, with a guarantee of safety;

– Special scale for teams that will continue to embark, considering prior isolation of 7 days in a hotel provided by Petrobras, 21 days on board and 14 days off.

There will be no prejudice to the remuneration of workers. All will receive normal remuneration, including those not summoned for boarding, and those whose shifts are extended will receive overtime pay, including the isolation period.

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

The company is in contact with union entities and government authorities and reevaluates the adoption of new measures on a daily basis. Discover other initiatives already adopted:

– We intensified teleworking in all activities that can be carried out remotely. All people in the risk group also work in telework, in any activity. We direct our service providers to take the same measures.

– At the departure points, everyone's temperatures are being measured, anamnesis is being taken and health guidelines are being reinforced. If any employee on board has symptoms, he will be immediately disembarked and all people who have had close contact will be monitored.

– People returning from trips abroad for work or on vacation will be quarantined, carrying out home-office activities.

– We have suspended all travel abroad. In the national territory, we keep only those strictly necessary, with all previous care and health guidelines.

– We suspended events and face-to-face meetings with more than 20 people and intensified online meetings.

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

These preventive initiatives are in line 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.