Sustainable Development and HSE issues are of the greatest importance to Shell, both in Egypt and globally.

Augustine Igbuku, HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) Manager for Shell Egypt, says, “Our HSE record at Shell Egypt is a good one and we have achieved a target of more than five million man hours worked without LTIs [Lost Time Incidents], which represents a period of two and a half years.”

This is impressive for a company which is involved in deep and shallow water offshore drilling and exploration operations, onshore exploration and drilling as well as seismic operations in the desert.

“However, we are not sitting on our laurels,” says Augustine, “but continue the drive forward to improve all aspects of HSE. For example, Goal Zero, Shell’s global initiative which is committed to causing “no hurt to people, no harm to the environment’, is being rolled out in Egypt and cascaded down to our contractors.”

A good HSE culture needs to be driven by strong leadership and the Shell Egypt Leadership Team is very proactive in influencing HSE initiatives and policies for the staff.

“In 2007,” says Augustine, “we organised three workshops for contractors, which included senior management and HSE staff, with the objective of embedding a strong HSE culture throughout Shell’s operations in Egypt.”

Road safety is the number one HSE issue in Egypt and Shell Egypt is conducting several initiatives to address this challenge. Shell is currently running a number of road safety initiatives externally and internally to increase awareness of road safety implications. External activities geared towards the community and external stakeholders are championed by the Communications Department, while HSE is responsible for the activities designed for Shell staff and joint venture staff, as well as contractors and sub-contractors.

“One is our Hearts and Minds programme, which trains all staff and contractors,” he says, “and in 2007 we trained 1,200 people who were involved in driving for the company. Defensive driving courses have also been provided to staff who drive on business for the company.

“Sound HSE policies are good for business and good for people. In 2008, in addition to rolling out Goal Zero, Shell Egypt’s Communication and HSE departments will reach out to a larger number of Government stakeholders to introduce a range of road traffic standards at workshops, seminars, lectures and other engagement opportunities, which will involve the police and Road Traffic Department in Egypt,” Augustine concludes.