32 Things to Take With You Offshore: An Oilfield Workers’ Guide
September 19, 2022 @ 3:29 pm
If you are preparing to head to an oil rig to work offshore for the first time, you might be wondering what to bring. Working offshore for a few months at a time might make you think you need to bring a lot of stuff. However, it’s best to limit how much you bring and instead only take the things you need. Take a look at our offshore packing list below to make sure you’re prepared for your first assignment at sea.
1. Personal Items
You will need to bring some changes of clothing and hygiene items with you. However, rigs have on-site laundry services, so you don’t need to overpack. While you are working, you’ll be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), but you will need some light clothing to wear under it. Here is a list of clothing items and personal hygiene products you should pack:
- A light jacket
- 4 pairs of long socks
- 4 pairs of athletic socks
- 4 pairs of pants/shorts
- 4 t-shirts
- 4 pairs of underwear
- Shampoo/conditioner
- Deodorant
- Body wash/bar soap
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Sealed mouthwash
- Shower shoes
- Bath sponge
- Nail clippers
- Brush/comb
- Contacts/contact lens solution
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Moisturizer
- Athletic shoes
If you forget something, most rigs have stores so that you can pick up essentials. If you take prescription medication, you should talk to your doctor and tell them that you will be working offshore for a couple of months at a time. Many prescriptions can be changed so that they are filled every 90 days instead of monthly. This can help to ensure you have plenty of medication to get you through your assignment.
2. Entertainment Items
You can expect to be busy when you work on an offshore oil rig. Offshore workers typically work 12-hour shifts seven days per week, so you won’t have a lot of off-time hours to fill. However, you might want to bring a few items to entertain yourself, such as the following:
- Cell phone/charger
- Company-issued laptop/charger
- Converter to plug in your electronic devices
- Headphones
- Card Games, Puzzles, Board Games, etc.
You should check with the rig about whether you are allowed to bring electronics with you. Some rigs don’t allow people to bring cell phones and chargers because of the risk of sparks resulting in explosions. Some helicopters also prohibit carrying phones on board. Check ahead of time to see what you are allowed to bring and what you should leave home.
3. Safety & Work Items
Your company will likely issue you some personal protective equipment you will need to bring. Make sure to pack the following items:
- 2 PPE coveralls
- Steel-toed boots
- Work gloves
- Goggles
- Hard hat with ear protection
In addition to bringing all of the personal protective and safety equipment you need, make sure you always wear them when you are working. Working on an offshore oil rig involves multiple dangers that PPE is designed to protect you against. When it comes to the risks of being injured on an oil rig, the best step to take is to work to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Wearing PPE at all times while you are working can help to reduce your risks of suffering serious injuries when an accident occurs.
4. Personal Injury Guide
When you work on an offshore oil rig, many potential dangers could result in serious injuries. Working on slick surfaces, at substantial heights, or around heavy equipment can all place you at risk. Fumes can easily ignite and explode with a small spark. Make sure you always remain aware of your surroundings while you work and pay attention to what others around you are doing to avoid accidents.
Just in case you are injured, you should print out our personal injury guide to take with you during your assignment. This guide can help you know the right steps to take if you are injured in an offshore oil rig accident. It is an unfortunate reality that oil rig workers are seriously injured or killed in offshore accidents each year. According to statistics reported by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), 160 offshore oil rig workers were injured in accidents in 2020, and six were killed.
Printing out and carrying a copy of the personal injury guide can help you know what to do in the immediate aftermath of an offshore accident. Taking prompt action might facilitate your ability to recover from your injuries while protecting your rights to pursue compensation.
While you are working offshore, make sure to do what you can to remain safe. If you are injured while working on the job, contact the experienced injury attorneys at MMRBH online to learn about your legal options and rights, or call us at 800-356-6776.
