Process Safety Leadership
Good process safety is at the heart of everything. Industry leaders acknowledge their role in ensuring continuous improvement in this area.
Industry collaboration to improve workplace safety
Through collaboration and sharing of good practice, each of our workgroups creates resources, initiatives and events that are designed to act as learning opportunities and provide topics for discussion with the workforce. The members of these workgroup represents their organisation but bring with them their own knowledge, experience and passion. By doing so the aim is to ensure nobody becomes complacent about staying safe.
Every member of Step Change in Safety has the opportunity to join a workgroup, giving them and their company a chance to contribute to raising safety in the global energy industry.
Contact us
If there is a topic you think one of our workgroups should be covering, please contact us.
Visit the dedicated workgroup pages to discover more about the work being undertaken by each group and its members in order to improve workplace safety.
Human Factors
Supporting individuals to improve their safety performance
Lifting and Mechanical Handling
Creating safer workplaces during lifting and mechanical handling operations
Major Accident Hazard Understanding
Educating industry on Major Accident prevention
Safe Working Essentials
Standardising and simplifying tasks to benefit safety and efficiency.
Sharing and Learning
The Sharing & Learning Workgroup facilitate the sharing and learning from good practice and past incidents with the intent of avoiding potential incidents.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing has many aspects including mental, physical, social, financial, and work environment
Workforce Engagement
Engaging the workforce to improve worksite safety
Helicopter Safety
Working to improve safety and strengthen confidence in helicopter travel
Safety Representatives' Network
The Safety Representatives’ Network connects elected safety reps across the energy industry, strengthening workforce involvement in health and safety.
Focal Points Network
Focal Points are a vital link between Step Change in Safety and its members.
Site Managers Network
The purpose of the High Hazard Site Managers Network is to support and influence the Step Change in Safety agenda.
WORKGROUP CHAIRS
HUMAN FACTORS:
- David Jamieson
- Human Factors Lead
- Shell UK Ltd
David Jamieson is Human Factors Lead at Shell, a Chartered Member of the Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors and he has 23 years of experience of working in Human Factors, firstly in consultancy and for the last 12 years with Shell Upstream UK. While at Shell, David has developed the strategy and been responsible for the HF programme of work for the business, including safety critical task analysis, HF input to investigations, organisational change, HF in projects and HF assurance.
David has been involved with the Step Change HF Working Group since around 2015 in which time he has been working with the team to actively promote best human factors practice in a way which will provide real practical value to Step Change member companies.
- Dr. Jared Dempsey
- Director of Kognivate
- Kognivate
An industrial psychologist, Jared has spent over 20 years researching, teaching and consulting in the area of human behaviour and human factors. He has a fascination with how people manage risk. Chartered by the British Psychological Society and a Fellow with the Higher Education Academy, Dr. Dempsey is passionate about making human factors accessible and meaningful for everyone.
SHARING AND LEARNING:
- Derek Donald
- Senior HSSEA Manager - UK Operations
- Wood Plc
Derek embarked on his HSE career a little differently from most. He started within local authorities in the early 90s before moving into the training environment in 2001 as an Instructor with RGiT Montrose (latterly Petrofac Training) delivering training solutions to the Oil, gas and renewables sectors in the UK and Trinidad before transferring to mainstream Petrofac in 2008 as an HSE Advisor on their Duty Holder projects. During this time he also spent 11 years ‘on call’ with HM Coastguards local Search & Rescue team conducting shore based SAR operations.
Derek joined Wood in 2013 and is part of Wood’s EMEA HSSE&S leadership team managing the HSE team in the Operated Assets business within the UKCS. He leads a team focused on delivering safe and sustainable operations to support facilities and producing assets across multiple clients.
He is an IOSH chartered Safety Practitioner with 30 years multi sector/ industry HSE experience providing a comprehensive and varied knowledge of the industry.
- Karen Bowman
- Senior Consultant, SSU (Safety & Sustainability)
- Equinor
From 2006, Karen Bowman was employed as Police officer with Grampian Police and then Police Scotland with a broad range of experience within response policing, intelligence handling and as a Detective Constable within the PUBLIC Protection unit working to investigate serious sexual offences against children and vulnerable members of the public. In 2013, following an injury Karen took the difficult decision to leave behind her career in Policing and commenced studies into Health and safety.
With a clear passion for working with and ensuring the safety of members of the public , the transition from a policing role into health and safety seemed a natural career path to progress, diversify and build upon the unique skillset gained from her Police Service. Securing a position at Aker Solutions as a Health and Safety Advisor providing health and safety support to the subsea division and onshore workshops.
Thereafter an HSEQ position with Stork which enabled her to gain a broad spectrum of knowledge and understanding relating to various aspects of the offshore oil and gas industry, including but not limited to, scaffolding, rope access, confined space entry HVAC, NDT, painter blasting, asbestos and TAR campaigns, with work pack preparation for major Operators within the Stork portfolio.
From 2015, Karen secured a position as a Safety and sustainability Performance advisor with the Norwegian Operator Statoil, before progressing into a Senior Consultant role supporting the project Huc and Operational phases of the Equinor-operated Mariner field and currently supports the Operations teams for the Mariner field. Karen's main passion in regards to health and safety relates to ensuring the sharing and learning of incidents to prevent recurrence in particular the prevention of major accidents and major accident hazards.
- Keith Jennings
- HSEQ Advisor Stork Technical Services Ltd
- Altrad Integrity Services Ltd – formerly Stork Technical Services
Keith served in the Royal Air Force Regiment for 12 years. Deciding to pursue a career path that could offer a better work-life balance, he entered the thriving energy industry in 2014.
During his military time, Keith developed invaluable skills such as leadership, management, and training – skills he still uses now. His experience also left him with essential life qualities such as integrity, teamwork, safety, and an unparalleled work ethic aligning well with industry core values.
His HSEQ career began at Safelift Offshore Ltd where he led their training programme, supporting multiple operators and contractors with equipment operations both onshore and offshore.
Keith then joined to Stork Technical Services as an HSEQ Advisor. He has supported key offshore contracts, as well as multiple refineries & nuclear facilities in England. He strives to improve safety culture and make a real difference in the industry, something he is extremely proud of.
He is also proud to be Stork’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Team Lead, directing a team of volunteers in contributing to community care initiatives such as working with local care homes, fundraising, and supporting the next generation of workers through education programmes.
Keith believes that sharing the valuable lessons learned from oil and gas, as well as identifying transferable skills and trades, is vital to achieving a successful energy transition. This combination makes him optimistic about the energy industry's future.
- Matthew Barnett
- Mechanical Technical Authority
- CNOOC Limited
LIFTING:
- Chris Stuart
- Lifting TA & LOLER Competent Person Lead
- EnQuest
Chris has more than 25 years' experience within the energy sector having begun his career 'on the tools' and progressing into management positions. He has a comprehensive knowledge of rigging and lifting operations from technical aspects, competence requirements and project management.
Contact Chris
MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD (MAH) UNDERSTANDING:
- Fiona Fitzgerald
- Evolve Consulting (Scotland) Ltd
Fiona FitzGerald entered the oil & gas industry as an undergraduate where she offered business support to a range of clients. During this time, she discovered a passion for safety and has been working to help organizations manage risk for more than 25 years.
Fiona has worked extensively across Europe, Africa, Russia and the United States with Baker Hughes. Prior to that, she worked as Facilities Manager in Equatorial Guinea. During her recent 10-year career as Principal Consultant with DNV, Fiona launched the OPITO accredited Elected Safety Representatives’ Development Training.
In October 2021, Fiona established Evolve Consulting (Scotland) Ltd to deliver quality, safety, environmental risk management services to the oil & gas and renewables industries.
Fiona is a Fellow of the Institute of Training & Occupational Learning, and she is currently pursuing studies in human factors and organisational psychology.
- Stuart Taylor
- Operations Director
- Apache
Stuart has more than three decades of experience in the energy industry working both onshore and offshore in front line operation management, operational improvement, maintenance and project roles.
Stuart started his career with BP in 1990 within the technician apprenticeship scheme and quickly moved into a supervisory role before progressing to become an Operations Engineer then Offshore Installation Manager where he gained significant experience, including the Forties Regeneration Project and Beryl field / SAGE acquisition with Apache North Sea.
Onshore, Stuart has also held the roles of Mechanical Engineer, Operations Efficiency Manager, Project Manager, Maintenance Manager and Production Manager. His current role is Forties Area Operations Manager where he is responsible for safe, reliable and efficient operations.
WELLBEING:
- Laura Hardie
- Engagement and Wellbeing Manager
- Bilfinger UK
- David Leiper
- Corporate Health and Wellbeing Manager
- Harbour Energy
Born and schooled in Aberdeen, Dr Leiper Graduated Glasgow University Medical School in 1997 and spent the early years of his career in General Practice in Lanarkshire. Moving back to Aberdeen in 2004 he worked in unscheduled care and Accident and Emergency Medicine before joining Capita Health and Wellbeing conducting Offshore Medicals and providing Topside Medical support.
Retraining in Occupational Medicine, Dr Leiper is a Consultant Occupational Health Physician who over the past decade has acted as Medical Advisor to a number of Energy Sector Operators.
He joined Harbour Energy in December of 2021 and leads the Occupational Health Team based here in Aberdeen. In 2025, David accepted the new role of Senior Health and Wellbeing Manager within the Corporate HSES Team supporting the global business.
WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT (WEST):
- Peter Hepburn
- Operations Director
- Spirit Energy
Peter joined Spirit Energy as Asset Director for the Morecambe Hub in July 2023. Two years later, Peter’s responsibilities were expanded and he was appointed Operations Director for the company, encompassing operations in the UK and the Netherlands.
A Chartered Chemical Engineer with an MSc in Process Technology and Management, he has 18 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry. Prior to joining Spirit, Peter was with EnQuest where his final role was HSEA (Health, Safety, Environment and Assurance) Director. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a successful track record of operational leadership and cultural change, earning recognition for delivering results and improving business performance.
Peter joined Maersk Oil UK in 2007 and, progressing to Offshore Installation Manager before moving onshore for various senior HSE and Operational leadership roles. Peter's final position with Maersk was as Operations Director where he was seconded to the Global Integration Team as part of the Total merger, where he undertook the role of HSE Workstream Lead, responsible - along with a Total counterpart - for defining Day 1 HSE readiness criteria and ensuring delivery by all business units.
After leaving Maersk, Peter joined EnQuest in June 2018, undertaking various operational leadership roles, ultimately being accountable for all of EnQuest's operated production as Upstream Asset Manager.
Before working in the upstream oil and gas industry, Peter held Health and Safety, Engineering and Operations positions in the onshore petrochemical, power generation and manufacturing industries.
- Stuart Watson
- TAR Execution Lead (Contractor)
- Serica Energy (UK) Limited
Stuart is a Chartered Construction Manager who joined the energy sector in 2011. He has held various construction management / leadership positions for both operating and contracting companies, specialising in the coordination and delivery of projects, shutdowns and repair order campaigns.
Stuart has supported Step Change in Safety's Workforce Engagement Support Team since 2023 and has been in the position of Co-Chair since March 2024.
SAFE WORKING ESSENTIALS (SWE):
- Gary Begg
- Operations HSE Manager
- EnQuest
Gary trained in IT analysis & design, gaining significant experience in the oil & gas industry with Mobil North Sea in Procurement & Contracts, later moving offshore into a Logistics position. Progressed into HSE role for several years offshore, returning onshore to provide HSE support for UK NNS, SNS & Norwegian assets, later being appointed into his first HSE Lead position.
He continued to gain broader HSE experience with Talisman Energy, where he was seconded to lead the Production Loss Elimination team to ‘reboot’ the process including a full redesign, software enhancement and development & delivery of training with the offshore teams. Returned to HSE with mandate to develop strategies & plans to prevent hydrocarbon leaks, taking on his first Co-Chair role for the Step Change HCR Prevention Workgroup. Moved to the HSE Assurance Manager role to improve the audit program, ensure value adding execution and promotion of a learning culture. His final role with Talisman (Repsol Sinopec) was leading a redesign of the SMS to eliminate silo activity, develop a new software solution and establish an integrated approach across the business to remove redundant or conflicting elements.
Gary returned to front line HS&E support with EnQuest, developing improvements on Regulatory engagement and internal process development. Moved to Superintendent role leading both the on and offshore HSE team, including extensive redefinition of the support model and individual role to better support the business and work with our Regulators. Gary is currently EnQuest’s Operations HSE Manager, leading his team across three Directorates and continuing to provide advice to both the site teams and leadership onshore.
Gary has a significant level of experience leading teams, dealing with Regulators and Senior Management within all organisations. Very focused on delivery of value, both in his own work and for the processes that his teams follow. He's a firm believer in producing work and content that delivers, removing low value activity to improve efficiency and better motivate my teams in their day to day approach.
- Derek Thomson
- Director of Projects
Derek Thomson has 25 years in the oil and gas sector, including senior roles within operations, design and project management for both major Operators and Service Providers. Along with a wealth of industry experience, Derek has a Masters in Project Management.
Currently, Derek is Director of Projects at Global E&C, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) service provider to the oil and gas sector. This recent appointment sees Derek as part of Global E&C’s senior leadership team where he has overall accountability for a portfolio of contracts where integrated services, across more than 400 employees in the business, works together to execute projects in the UKCS.
OIM NETWORK:
- Dale Checksfield LL.M, Master Mariner, PG.Dip
- OIM
- Harbour Energy
A qualified Master Mariner, Dale moved into the offshore industry in 2010. During his seagoing career, spent mostly with the Ministry of Defence, he deployed on operations world-wide including humanitarian operations in Mozambique and the Caribbean, saw service in a number of conflict zones and became the first UK exchange officer to serve afloat with the US Military Sealift Command. Graduating from the Joint Services Command and Staff College Shrivenham, he completed a senior leadership appointment in Navy Command Headquarters, where he was responsible for Navigation and Seamanship policy, training and standards, before moving into the private sector, initially within commercial ship management.
Commencing his offshore experience on a floating asset West of Shetland as contract marine operator, he quickly secured a permanent role, moving to the Central North Sea. Having passed the Shell OIM selection panel, was promoted to OIM of an FPSO, delivering a return to class registration and operational improvement programme which extended field life and returned significant OPEX reductions and performance improvements gaining recognition in Shells global production awards in the “Effective People” category. In the following years, Dale has undertaken a number of roles including an onshore secondment in a programme management role and, through 2019-20, held responsibility for managing Harbour Energy’s response to COVID-19 as Business Continuity Team Lead.
Currently an Offshore Installation Manager on one of Harbour Energy’s fixed assets in the central north sea, Dale holds a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills from the University of Aberdeen, a QCF Level 7 qualification in Strategic Management & Leadership and a Post Graduate Diploma (Distinction) in Applied Navigation. Outside of the “day job”, Dale has held executive level and national board roles in the public sector on a volunteer basis and provides pro-bono consultancy to a number of public sector organisations in volunteer management, operational risk management and maritime policy.
- Doug Seivwright IEng MIMechE
- OIM
- Petrofac
Doug Seivwright is an Offshore Installation Manager on Jade Platform, Offshore Equatorial Guinea.
He has 25 years’ experience offshore in major projects, combined operations (ComOps), commissioning and operations on both new and brownfield offshore facilities in the Oil and Gas Industry, North Sea and International.
Aberdeen-born Doug has worked offshore in the Oil and Gas industry since 2000. His offshore career began as an apprentice Mechanical Technician with the ECITB/NASEC Technician Training Scheme onboard the Tiffany Platform. He then moved through various positions offshore to his current role of Offshore Installation Manager on the Jade Platform.
