Entry Level Oilfield Safety Position

[jesterdoc]

I need the GS advice. I am looking for any input, advice, suggestions, etc about how to get into a Safety Man position.

I've been a Paramedic for 18 years, and have worked as a Safety advisor for my company for 4 years. I have a lot of my buddies that work the oilfield keep telling me that I need to look into getting into the Safety/HSEQ side of the oilfield.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[npe001]

I have been working with the HSE guy at my work all week. He was a paramedic and it seems to fit him well. Good luck

[Amazing Grace]

I've seen several make the switch just like you. My advise is to start with all of the service companies. Frac, Coil, Cement type stuff and start talking to anyone that will listen. These are good jobs and these companies are usually willing to give someone in your position with no previous oilfield experience an opportunity to get in there. I will tell you that the grass isn't always greener in the oilfield. I've been in it forever and it's not as fun and easy money as everyone thinks it is that hasn't been in it. I would think about it before making that leap if you enjoy your job now.

[firemedic2105]

The other thing a lot do is get on as an oilfield medic and then work on moving over to the safety side. It helps get your foot in the door and, depending on your project, you will get some direct safety responisbility and training.

[jesterdoc]

Thanks for the advice! Anybody here happen to know of any certs or training I could work on to make myself more marketable for a Safety position?

[kfd82]

Go to rigzone.com
Tons of job listings and it's free. You fill out a resume on the site and just click to apply on the jobs you want.

It's how a lot of people get their foot in the door.
If you are persistent you will have a job in a month or less.

[Skinny]

Entry Level Oilfield Safety Position

All the safety guys I know have been in the oilfield for a while and know the safe practices that need to take place out in the field and the potential hazards of the job. I'd have a hard time hiring a safety guy that does not know anything about the oilfield and has zero experience.

Start in the service side or heck even a job in production. Learn some stuff. Be safe. And maybe one day a position will open up.

Good luck.

[gingib]

Hard to find a safety job...people don't leave them

[huck]

small college industrial safety class.

[firemedic2105]

Hard to find a safety job...people don't leave them

And a lot of them aren't very forthcoming with info on how to get in

[Okiehunter]

Don't take this wrong but being a medic is a long way from being a "safety" man. You need to understand OSHA, DOT, and loss control more than how to save a life. I have been in HR for 30 years and IMO a safety guy can write his own ticket if he can effectively change the work culture of an organization. Being well versed at CPR will not get you there.

Good luck.

[BrandonH]

My best friend got a job this year with Diamond Offshore Drilling. He had been a paramedic for about 5 years and no other experience, but he still got hired on. He works 28 on - 28 off, and makes around $150k.

[schmalzy]

It is a lot of brotha in law network, but still doable. i got into it as a water blaster, so anything is possible.

I wouldn't be afraid to go roustabout or roughneck to get foot in the door and learn the industry. Not knowing the difference from a cathead and an air tugger can and will be a tough obstacle to overcome when trying to get hands to listen to you. Takin one of those positions still pays decent and gets your foot in the door.

The money is normally pretty decent, but NORMALLY isn't insane, directional driller style pay. It definitely can be, but is not the standard. Id say a realistic entry level wage to be 60-80.

Bottom line, if you want it you'll get it. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty getting there. It can be tough to find HSE professionals who aren't totally full of BS.

Best of luck. Right now there will be quite a few guys who are getting laid off trying to play the Safety Guy game.