North America

• Date: 19 June, 2025
• Year: 2025

Honeywell has announced that Southwest Airlines is equipping its entire Boeing 737 fleet with SmartRunway and SmartLanding software to bolster runway safety.

Enabled through the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) already installed on Southwest’s aircraft, over 700 planes have been activated with this technology to date.

SmartRunway and SmartLanding enhance flight crew situational awareness during taxiing, take-off, and landing by providing aural and visual alerts to promote stabilised approaches.

The software proactively warns pilots of excessive speed, excessive altitude, or incorrect runway approaches, helping to prevent incidents that could lead to runway accidents.

Certified for most Airbus, Boeing, and numerous business aviation platforms, this technology strengthens safety across diverse aircraft types.

Other aviation safety solutions

Honeywell is also developing its next-generation runway safety solution, Surface Alerts (SURF-A), currently under testing with certification anticipated for commercial air transport aircraft in 2026, pending regulatory approval.

SURF-A leverages GPS data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast equipment, and advanced analytics to deliver direct aural and visual alerts about potential runway traffic, further enhancing safety through the EGPWS platform.

This initiative builds on a long-standing partnership between Honeywell and Southwest. In 2015, Southwest selected Honeywell’s flight-deck systems for its order of 240 Boeing 737 MAX airliners, complementing its 737 Next Generation fleet already equipped with Honeywell cockpit avionics.

Southwest was also the first airline to adopt Honeywell’s Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver technology, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge aviation solutions.

"Today's pilots face increasing challenges including unpredictable weather and dense traffic in limited airspace, forcing them to make split-second decisions during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, as the challenges evolve, so does the technology that provides the information they need in real time," said Jim Currier, president and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. "Southwest is continuing to put pilots and passengers first by investing in SmartRunway and SmartLanding software across its fleet."

"Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Southwest," said Andrew Watterson, chief operating officer at Southwest Airlines. "Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network."

• Region: North America
• Date: 6 May 2025
• Year: 2025

The USA's Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), whose role it is to ensure the safety and environmental stewardship of offshore energy operations, has successfully completed its first annual inspection of Shell’s Whale, one of the newest and most innovative oil production facilities in the Gulf of America

The eight-day annual inspection thoroughly examined all safety equipment aboard the Whale platform, including systems designed to prevent leak, fires, spills or other potential incidents. BSEE’s team of inspectors and engineers verified that all safety components, equipment and production processes met stringent industry standards and complied with all relevant federal regulations.

“We are BSEE are extremely proud to contribute to the ongoing pledge of safe, responsible and efficient energy production in the Gulf of America,” said Gulf of America Region director Bryan Domangue. “This inspection is a critical milestone in our efforts to support energy security, enhance safety and strengthen Americas leadership in energy production.”

Whale is Shell’s 14th deep-water development in the Gulf of America,and its most efficient to date. Whale is located around 200 miles south of Houston on the Outer Continent Shelf and has an estimated peak production capacity of 100,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day. The facility features a semi-submersible production host at a depth of more than 8,600 feet of water, with 15 wells connected to the host via advanced subsea infrastructure. Whale currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of 480 million boe.

Most of Whale's operations can be managed from the control room in New Orleans, keeping the number of people needed on the platform to a minimum. This has a positive impact on emissions reduction as well as on costs and safety.

• Topic: Training, HSE
• Region: North America
• Date: June 5 2025
• Year: 2025

Geneva-headquartered SGS, a testing, inspection and certification specialist, has acquired H₂Safety Services Inc., a provider of emergency response management, HSE training, and emergency software services

H₂Safety, which last year celebrated its 20^th anniversary, serves oil & gas, mining, transportation, energy and government entities, specifically centring its services around regulatory compliance and consultation.

CEO and chairman of H2Safety, James Harasen, explained, "Our approach to safeguarding critical infrastructure, communities, employees and natural environments is rooted in building authentic relationships and addressing community concerns transparently."

On the acquisition, Harasen added, "We are excited about joining SGS to expand our emergency management footprint while also leveraging SGS's proven expertise in delivering comprehensive HSE solutions across various industries."

The H2CommandCentre platform is chief among the firm's service and solution suite. The platform has vast-reaching incident response capabilities, activating emergency response, delivering rapid notifications and real-time check-ins; and maps hazard zones and critical residents and stakeholders. Over 15,000 operators currently use the platform.

SGS' North American head of industrial services, Patrick Beck, emphasised, "Operational integrity is at the core of SGS's corporate culture, since our customers entrust us with their quality assurance and operational fluidity needs in a wide range of industrial environments.

"HSE is at the core of what we do. We also have a strong HSE record within our own operations, so we really walk the talk when it comes to protecting assets, employees and the environment."

SGS has committed to doubling North American sales between 2023 and 2027.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: North America
• Date: 28 May 2025
• Year: 2025

The USA’s Center for Offshore Safety (COS) has awarded a Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) Certificate to HWCG Holdings, LLC, a consortium of deepwater operators and non-operators formed to provide a rapid and comprehensive response to subsea well containment events

The award recognises the organisation’s successful completion of an independent audit and verification of its Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) by a CICS Americas, a COS-accredited Audit Service Provider (ASP).

SEMS Certificates are awarded to organisations that not only undergo an independent SEMS audit by a COS-accredited ASP but also implement all improvement actions identified during the audit process — actions that support a culture of continual improvement.

“The achievement is particularly impressive in that HWCG voluntarily chose to have their SEMS independently audited as part of their commitment to protect people, property, and the environment,” said Russell Holmes, COS senior director. “Under US regulations, only oil and gas operators are required to have their SEMS audited by a COS-accredited ASP.”

“By HWCG voluntarily achieving this SEMS Certificate, it reflects our dedication to protecting people, the environment, and the communities we support- it also demonstrates our unwavering commitment in response preparedness to our members and response providers,” commented HWGG.

HWCG is made up of a diverse and experienced group of deepwater operators and non-operators, representing two-thirds of the deepwater operators in the Gulf of America. Each HWCG member is committed to a robust, integrated, standardised and sustainable response solution to a deepwater blowout in the US Gulf of America. Each member company provides expertise and resources that collectively help achieve HWCG’s ultimate goal of rapid intervention, response and containment.

HWCG is the only source control and containment consortium and first not-for-profit to voluntarily earn a SEMS Certificate.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: North America
• Date: 22 May, 2025
• Year: 2025

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hosted its 12th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, rallying employers and workers nationwide to tackle the industry’s leading cause of fatalities: falls.

Held earlier this month, the event emphasised cutting-edge strategies to enhance workplace safety.

During the Stand-Down, OSHA encouraged construction firms to adopt advanced safety measures, including immersive hazard recognition training, AI-driven risk assessments, and updated toolbox talks focused on high-risk tasks like roofing, ladder use, and scaffold work.

The initiative spotlighted how technology and data analytics can transform safety protocols on modern job sites.

Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling delivered keynote remarks at the National Institutes of Health campus in Bethesda, Maryland, where active construction projects underscored the urgency of innovative fall prevention.

OSHA promoted widespread participation by sharing a list of free, accessible events, both virtual and in-person, on its website, enabling workers and employers from construction and beyond to engage in local safety initiatives.

A cornerstone of OSHA’s Fall Prevention Campaign, the Stand-Down, developed with The Center for Construction Research and Training, aligned with Construction Safety Week’s mission to eliminate falls.

Since 2012, this initiative has trained over 10 million workers, driving a cultural shift toward proactive safety in the industry.

• Topic: HSE
• Region: North America
• Date: 14 May, 2025
• Year: 2025

A growing body of research indicates that young people are increasingly dissatisfied at work. In a recent episode of the ILO’s Global Challenges, Global Solutions podcast, economist Professor David Blanchflower explored the rising levels of unhappiness among youth and the urgent need for action.

Blanchflower highlighted a major shift since 2013. “What we’ve seen is a big increase in the unhappiness levels of the young.” Originally noticed in the US, the trend has spread globally, particularly in developed nations like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Northern Europe. He notes that this rising unhappiness is linked to poor mental health, academic struggles, and difficulty transitioning from school to work.

“Young people who are having problems with their mental health—their test scores, their reading test scores are being negatively impacted,” he said, adding that the problem is evident at university level and beyond, with many young people “moving from college to out of the labour force.”

Internet access and smartphone usage are key contributors. “Places that have had the biggest growth in access to the internet, in general, are the ones that look the worst,” Blanchflower explained. He pointed out that in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where smartphone penetration is lower, the mental health of young people appears more stable. “It’s about the amount of time they’re spending on their phones,” he added, warning that screen time is replacing real-world experiences vital for development.

A gender imbalance

Gender differences are also striking. “The mental health of young women appears to be much worse than young men,” Blanchflower said. In the US, “about 11% of young women between the ages of 18 and 24 say that every day of their lives is a bad mental health day.” This is accompanied by a rise in suicide attempts and hospitalisations, particularly among young women.

When it comes to solutions, Blanchflower called for better support during the transition from school to work and more structured social engagement for youth. “They’re not joining clubs as they did… They’re not participating in the ways that they did before.” However, he admitted, “We don’t really know what to do.”

He is organising a major conference with the UN to develop global strategies. “Countries around the world are going to have to start to think about what to do, as they did in the 1980s.” The goal is to identify practical measures that governments and international bodies can adapt to local contexts.

“This is like a spreading pandemic,” Blanchflower said. While the challenges are clear, he stresses the need for collective, global action before the damage becomes irreversible.

• Topic: Fire Safety
• Region: North America
• Date: 12 May 2025
• Year: 2025

Two Texas-based companies are joining forces in a move set to enhance the provision of fire safety solutions for the oil and gas industry

Total Safety’s Industrial Fire and Safety Division and Dooley Tackaberry, a specialist in fire and safety equipment for the oil and gas industry, are partnering to create a global market leader in industrial fire safety solutions.

Total Safety is a leading global provider of integrated industrial safety services, equipment and compliance solutions, covering sectors including oil and gas, petrochemical and refining, utilities, manufacturing, and transportation.

While Dooley Tackaberry (DT) has an extensive history in the distribution of fire and safety equipment to the oil and gas industry and municipal fire service market. It specialises in designing and fabricating fire detection and suppression systems as well as supplying fire protection and personal protective equipment for the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas industry worldwide.

The combined business will build on the respective strengths of the two companies, uniting common cultures and values and enabling rapid growth. Combining Total Safety’s in-plant fire systems inspection, testing and repair capabilities with Dooley’s engineering and fabrication capabilities will provide customers with unparalleled support in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas industry.

“We are very excited to be joining forces with Dooley. Their strength in engineering and fabrication of industrial fire suppression systems compliments our team of in-plant fire technicians that perform inspection, testing and repair of critical fire systems,” said Brad Clark, CEO, Total Safety. “Our passion is to provide the best customer experience by serving our customers with the complete value chain of industrial fire protection.”

“Total Safety is the right strategic partner for Dooley, having similar core values and objectives in serving our customers. We are particularly excited about gaining access to Total Safety’s broad set of refining and petrochemical customers. Furthermore, Total Safety’s field installation capabilities will greatly enhance our ability to provide a trusted, one-stop solution to all our customers,” said Chris Dooley, CEO, Dooley Tackaberry.

Industrial fire protection is especially critical in the oil and gas industry given the presence of flammable and explosive substances. 16% of all fatalities in the industry are due to fires or explosions, according to Impact Fire’s Guide to Fire Safety in the Oil and Gas Industry, which highlights a multitude of common fire hazards, including equipment failure, leaks, oil spills, flash fires and confined space fires.

• Region: North America
• Date: May 8
• Year: 2025

After reporting a 39.5% reduction against baseline (2019) greenhouse gas emissions for 2024, Baker Hughes' chief sustainability officer Allyson Anderson Book said the company's approach "continues to be a key competitive advantage for Baker Hughes, helping us deliver long-term value to all of our stakeholders."

Delivering a 39.5% reduction in scope one and two emissions translated to a 29.3% absolute reduction against the 2019 baseline.

Amidst the more efficient backdrop, 206 perfect HSE days were delivered, with an 11% drop in total recordable incident (TRI) rate. Those figures, reported in Baker Hughes' reflection on 2024, mark the first time the company has ever externally assured such data.

Baker Hughes chairman and CEO Lorenzo Simonelli announced the news. "Our ability to drive economic growth and achieve significant emissions reductions underscores our commitment to sustainable energy development... by focusing on increasing efficiencies and integrating sustainability into our corporate strategy, we also enable our customers to meet their emissions targets."

• Region: North America
• Date: 23 April, 2025
• Year: 2025

An AI-driven gaming platform being developed by the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center (MKO) at Texas A&M University and EnerSys Corporation allows pipeline operators to be exposed to pipeline incidents in a controlled environment and gain experience in responding to real-world scenarios.

Pipeline leaks or failures can have a catastrophic impact on assets, people and the environment as well as causing untold financial and reputational damage. In early April this year, for example, a leaking gas pipeline sparked a huge fire on the outskirts of Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, injuring more than 100 people.

The project aims to develop a realistic training system for teams to practice handling hazardous condition response and emergency response in a collaborative learning environment. It simulates various pipeline failure scenarios, using AI to visualise how such situations can evolve, and provides measurable outcomes of the response, so that when incidents do occur, people working with pipelines can be prepared and respond more quickly and effectively.

According to an article on the Texas A&M website, MKO will provide knowledge and understanding of the pipeline and its safety issues and create mathematical models for the project, while EnerSys Corporation will facilitate research and data collection from industry.

Trial scenarios with a research and development team are planned by the end of this year, with results being incorporated into the platform.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to learn, particularly from the industrial experiences, and develop tools that enable fusion of knowledge and experience to improve safety,” said Faisal Khan, director of the Mary Kay O-Connor Process Safety Center.

A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) on ‘Revolutionizing health and safety: the role of AI and digitalization at work’ highlights the effectiveness of immersive virtual training environments, allowing workers to acquire new skills quickly and retain knowledge more efficiently, thereby providing a better trained and more competent workforce.

“The technology presents an important opportunity to improve the effectiveness of safety and safety-relevant training due to its abilities both to allow trainees to fail safely and to present scenarios that are difficult to replicate in the real world, either due to financial constraints or safety concerns,” it says.

• Region: North America
• Date: 17 April, 2025
• Year: 2025

News publications from across the USA have reported impending closures of occupational health and safety agencies in the county, in wake of the Trump administration's decisions to cut government spending. This could be disastrous for American workers, who may now have little recourse against workplace violations. 

Louisiana workers may be more affected than others. The state is already known as one of the most dangerous places in America, from an occupational health and safety standpoint. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Louisiana is ranked the sixth most dangerous state for workers in the U.S. This is thanks to the more than 200 chemical facilities and refineries which line an 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River from Baton Rouge to the state's capital New Orleans. It has been repeatedly called "Cancer Alley", due to the high cancer rates associated with petrochemicals.

US-based publication Capital & Main has recorded a few instances. In recent years, the news publication said, there have been several chemical plant exposures or explosions in the state. In December, a suspected explosion occurred at a Westlake Corp. chemical plant near the Nutrien plant. Four workers were hospitalised in October after being exposed to ammonia at a Formosa Plastics plant.

Two individuals were injured in September when a hydrogen gas explosion occurred at the neighbouring Chevron Renewable Energy Group factory. Last month, Mathew Roberts was working at a chemical facility on the outskirts of Baton Rouge when he was involved in a forklift accident. The father of two, who was unresponsive and in severe condition, was transported from the Nutrien nitrogen facility to a local hospital and died of his injuries.

Spending cuts

His death came weeks after the Elon Musk-run Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced the closure of 11 OSHA field offices. This includes one in Baton Rouge that is investigating Robert's death. It is the agency's only office in Louisiana, and its impending closure is causing anxiety among workplace safety professionals. The closures are still "under review," according to the US Department of Labor, which oversees OSHA.

In addition to the Baton Rouge office, which conducted 386 workplace inspections last year and imposed over $750,000 in penalties for major infractions, DOGE intends to eliminate field offices in Houston and Mobile, Alabama. 

“Those enormous oil and petrochemical facilities with significant safety and health hazards will be inspected even less frequently than they are now,” former OSHA Director David Michaels told Capital & Main. “These closures will result in more injuries, illnesses and deaths,” Michaels added.

According to Michaels, OSHA employees in the office will have to choose between quitting the agency entirely or relocating to another region hundreds of miles away. Staff at the Baton Rouge office claimed they were not aware of any layoffs, despite rumours that have circulated since the DOGE announcement in mid-March.

• Date: 9 April, 2025
• Year: 2025

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a federal agency tasked with researching and promoting workplace safety, is undergoing a dramatic restructuring that could impact occupational health across industries, including those in the Gulf of America region.

Announced in early 2025, the overhaul has sparked concerns about weakened protections for workers in high-risk sectors like offshore oil and gas, mining, and firefighting.

NIOSH, established under the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health Act, conducts research and provides recommendations to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

Its work has been critical for industries prevalent in the Gulf region, where offshore platforms face hazards like explosions, toxic exposures, and severe weather.

However, recent reports indicate that NIOSH is facing massive layoffs, with up to 90% of its workforce potentially cut.

This restructuring, driven by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., involves merging NIOSH into a newly formed Administration for a Healthy America (AHA), alongside other agencies like the CDC.

A threat to HSE operations in the region

Critics, including labour unions and public health experts, warn that the layoffs and merger threaten NIOSH’s ability to fulfill its mission.

The agency’s research into workplace hazards, such as silica dust for miners, PFAS chemicals for firefighters, or hydrogen sulfide for oil workers, requires specialised expertise that could be lost.

For Gulf workers, NIOSH’s studies on offshore safety protocols and heat stress are vital, given the region’s hurricane-prone environment and labour-intensive rigs.

The agency’s data-driven recommendations often inform OSHA regulations, which set enforceable standards.

A diminished NIOSH could mean fewer updates to these protections, leaving workers vulnerable.

The restructuring has also raised questions about funding and priorities. While the AHA aims to streamline public health efforts, skeptics argue it may prioritise broader health initiatives over workplace-specific research.

Congressional oversight is expected, with hearings planned to assess the impact on industries reliant on NIOSH’s expertise. For now, the agency’s remaining staff face uncertainty, with morale reportedly low.

In the Gulf, where economic activity hinges on safe operations, the NIOSH cuts could have ripple effects.

Without robust research, employers may struggle to address emerging risks, potentially increasing accidents or exposures.

Stakeholders are urging policymakers to preserve NIOSH’s capacity to protect the nation’s workforce.

Also read: DOGE terminates Louisiana federal agency leases; OSHA affected

• Region: North America
• Date: 4 April, 2025
• Year: 2025

Small businesses are adopting a reactive approach to safety, rather than proactively guarding against potential risks, according to Pie Insurance's 2025 State of Workplace Safety Report

The report is based on a comprehensive workplace safety survey of 1,018 small US business owners (up to 500 employees), providing insights on safety concerns, workplace accidents, AI trends and more.

According to the survey, 75% of small businesses experienced workplace injuries in the past year, with nearly half saying they had to improvise safety measures due to a lack of proper equipment. Half of those injuries were reported to be preventable. Preventing such injuries could dramatically reduce injury-related costs such as medical expenses and compensation costs, as well as the costs incurred by operational downtime, with small businesses losing four employee workdays and three full business days to workplace injuries.

The most common preventable workplace injuries were reported to be mental health-related injuries (22%), slips, trips and falls (20%) cuts and lacerations (18%) and overexertion and repetitive strain injuries (13%).

Many of these injuries could be prevented by taking proactive measures such as ensuring employees have the right equipment and PPE; conduct regular engaging safety training, encouraging employees to report safety concerns without fear of reprisal, and performing regular workplace safety audits, the report says.

Growing role of AI

The report highlights the growing role of AI in preventing accidents, with 65% of business leaders thinking it will improve safety in the next five years, and 44% already using it to improve safety and efficiency. From predictive analytics that anticipate risks to AI-driven telematics that monitor driver behaviour and automated safety training, AI is facilitating a more proactive approach to preventing accidents and reducing risks.

Also highlighted is the increased impact of mental health on workplace safety, with stress, burnout and mental-health related injuries accounting for 22% of workplace injuries, while only 52% of firms have mental health related safety protocols in place. A culture where employees feel safe and supported needs to be created, with measures such as providing employee assistance programmes (EAP), offering wellness initiatives and creating an open culture where employees are not afraid to raise mental health challenges.

Employee resistance to safety measures is another challenge cited, with suggested measures being to involve employees in safety discussions and decision making, make training engaging and rewarding employees who follow safety protocols and leading by example, with the leadership walking the walk.

Businesses that take workplace safety seriouslly will have a competitive edge, the report stresses. “By implementing proactive mental health support, investing in the right equipment, leveraging AI and ensuring employees follow safety protocols, small businesses can reduce injuries, lower costs and create a more productive workforce,” it says.