There was considerable discussion over the subject of Step Change in Safety funding since the launch of the combined Operator & Contractor Trade Association, Oil & Gas UK, in 2007.

Prior to 2007, the majority of the cost of the Support Team was borne by the few companies who either provided the chairmen or seconded staff to the team. Some of the larger companies started challenging the not insignificant amounts they were asked to contribute, as they felt they were subsidising the smaller companies who use Step Change on a regular basis.

For 2008, it was agreed by the Oil & Gas UK Board & Councils that the budget & employment structure for Step Change would be revised to a fairer model, which was reflected in the membership package’s funding paper. Step Change is now housed, managed & financed on a transparent, fair & sustainable basis.

2008 saw greater ownership of Step Change In Safety by operators & contractors, trade associations, the HSE & the Government. This was due to several improvements made within Step Change following a change management review in 2007, which are detailed below:

• The Co Chairs now attend & are actively involved in the Oil & Gas UK Board & Councils meetings.
• Step Change is on the PILOT meeting agenda; indeed Lord MacKenzie, Minister for Health & Safety, did, at his own request, attend a Step Change Leadership Team meeting in 2008.
• Due to the success of the concerted focus on Asset Integrity issues raised in the KP3 Report, the HSE regard Step Change as a key player in the deliverables contained in their OSD Business Plan. Their priority areas of Leadership, Asset Integrity, Competence & Safety Culture are all being addressed by the work groups.
• Much improved & positive media coverage of Step Change activities.
• Improved engagement with industry networks.
• Ownership of the new Charter commitments & the desire to deliver on these commitments.
• Focus on working the safety agenda issues to achieve a common industry approach through the promotion of effective collaboration & sharing of best practice/learning.

Having developed Step Change to this point, the industry must continue to work together to ensure that it plays a purposeful & fully integrated role in the formation & delivery of our safety agenda.

Step Change will strive to move on from being much more than an initiative of which it feels good to be a part, to becoming the home of quality standards & an organisation of which we are proud to be members. We aspire to become a globally recognised centre of excellence in safety for our industry, a body so well grounded & respected that membership thereof will be worn with pride.

I hope this has helped you to understand the workings of our funding strategy & why the changes have come about over the last three years.

We look forward to your support in taking up membership of Step Change In Safety. As you can see from the list of our current members below, you´ll be in good company!

Ian Aitchison
Step Change in Safety Support Team Leader