What is Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET)?

The emergency training offered to personnel working in an offshore facility or joining offshore vessels is known as BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training).

The BOSIET aims to make people working on offshore installations aware of the safety issues and the regimes about offshore structures. It equips them with basic emergency response knowledge, skills and expertise for helicopter travel to and from the offshore facility.

It also includes helicopter safety and helicopter underwater escape training, which provides training on how to escape from a window opening of a capsized helicopter or a partially submerged helicopter which involves donning an aviation transit suit.

BOSIET is an elementary training program that covers all critical offshore-related safety regulations. The course duration is mainly three days. The various aspects of the BOSIET training program can be explained below:

• The first step in the offshore training program is Safety induction. This aspect deals with all the necessary steps a newly inducted crew must follow while working in the oil drill. Points on how to react in an emergency like a fire, accidents of waste-water disposal systems and drugs and alcohol abuse are covered under this BOSIET head.
• The second step in the BOSIET emergency training is about Safety and Escaping. This point covers training a person on how to board a helicopter in an emergency, how to use breathing equipment in case of any hazard and how to help co-workers or passengers during a critical situation.

• Sea Survival is the third aspect of BOSIET. This includes teaching a delegate when to abandon the offshore drill and how to survive in the high sea for extended periods until rescue operators arrive.
• Firefighting and Self-Rescue are the fourth points covered by BOSIET. Firefighting application in offshore drill areas includes knowledge about operating hoses and other smaller fire extinguishers. In addition, workers also need to know the causes and reasons for the start of the fire. Other points in the fourth BOSIET emergency training deal with individual safety in case of reduced sight due to smoke.

The BOSIET with the CA-EBS or Compressed Air Breathing System training allows the workers to identify the generic hazards of the offshore oil and gas installations, along with the potential risks related to those hazards, including how controls and protocols are used for eliminating or reducing those risks. They are taught to identify offshore-related safety regulations and explain the basic safety management concepts.

They are given demonstrations on how to use safety equipment and follow procedures in helicopter emergencies, focusing on ditching, emergency landing, dry landing, sea survival and first aid techniques. Specific safety issues are also included, with special instructions for them. Training on how to operate essential firefighting equipment, portable fire extinguishers and self-rescue techniques in low visibility situations are also taught, for instance, escaping smoke-filled areas.

BOSIET is just a first step in terms of offshore survival training courses. After gaining the required safety training through BOSIET, a person can opt for further emergency training courses. The validity of this course is for four years. After the validity period is over, to continue with the validation, there is a refresher course that is also offered. The duration of the refresher course is one day. If by any chance, an offshore oil drill worker fails to take the refresher course, then the person has to repeat the entire BOSIET test to continue working in the oil drill.

The BOSIET emergency training is offered in all countries. The training that is imparted contains both theory and practical application so that the learner can understand all the aspects easily—the total hours of training come to around 22.5 hours. A certificate is issued to the person to certify that a person has completed the training.

Working in offshore areas is very difficult. But, as much as risky offshore drill areas are, it cannot be denied that they are equally necessary. This is why with the help of BOSIET, a significant preventive measure towards reducing the chances of human loss is carried out.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How long is the BOSIET training?

The BOSIET emergency training is provided to personnel in all countries. The training involves theory and practical applications so that a delegate can understand and comprehend all the aspects easily. The total duration of training comes to 22.5 hours.

2. How to get a BOSIET Certificate?

The course has four modules- Safety Induction, Helicopter Safety and Escape, Sea Survival and First Aid, Fire Fighting and Self Rescue. OPITO accredits the BOSIET course, and after a person completes the training, they get an internationally recognized certificate.

3. How long does a BOSIET certificate last?

4. What is the difference between T-BOSIET and BOSIET?

T-BOSIET is the training for warm waters or tropical countries, while BOSIET has validity in both warm and cold glasses of water. However, if someone usually works in a tropical region, then T-BOSIET would be enough for such a person.

5. What do you mean by BOSIET?