Milestone

How Technology Can Improve Oil & Gas Fleet Safety

Written by Rand McNally | Sep 6, 2023 3:00:32 PM

The oil and gas industry plays a vital role in the energy market. It's one of the world's largest sectors, estimated to reach a global market size of $4.3 trillion in 2023. Hundreds of thousands of workers are tasked with producing and distributing these resources, which come with unique challenges and risks.

As technology advances, opportunities to protect your fleets are ever-present. Utilizing state-of-the-art fleet management software can mitigate risks and provide managers and safety directors with uninterrupted visibility. This view across all channels offers ways to improve oil and gas fleet safety and protect the company's bottom line.

Risks for Oil & Gas Fleets

Oil and gas work sites often exist in remote areas where extreme conditions are regular. Working long hours with hazardous materials in the severe heat or cold with the potential for thunderstorms, hurricanes, or even blizzards takes its toll on workers, increasing the chances of collisions and accidents on the road.

Blindspots, poor visibility, unsafe driving behaviors, and loud environments may also lead to potentially fatal injuries to workers on the road and on-site. These accidents could cause leaks and spills, harming surrounding people and environments.

Opportunities for theft are common in these isolated areas. With oil and gas being such a lucrative resource, your trucks could be an attractive target for thieves. Fleets lose tens of thousands of dollars yearly due to theft, causing expensive delays and costly replacements.

3 Ways to Improve Oil & Gas Fleet Safety with Technology

Implementing a cutting-edge fleet management system is the only tip you need to improve the safety of your oil and gas fleet. With this technology, you can:

Monitor Driver Behavior

Installing a comprehensive telematics solution within your vehicles will help you monitor and protect your drivers. Equipped with video capabilities, you'll be aware of unsafe driving habits, identifying areas where drivers may need correction and additional training.

Concerns like seat belt use, driving while tired, speeding, hard braking, and distracted driving can be tracked and addressed in real time, sometimes by intelligent alerts from the software. You'll have the eyes and ears to keep your drivers safe and accountable for their actions.

Create Geofences to Better Track Your Assets

Geofences create boundaries for each vehicle's operation, ensuring your truck management is optimized and working as efficiently as possible. While geofences won't physically prevent your trucks from leaving their designated region, they will send alerts when vehicles migrate out of that area. This information will protect you against thefts, provide locations where police can recover stolen property, and minimize downtime.

These fences monitor progress on current projects and alert you when a truck hasn't moved or a driver has missed a check-in. Some companies allow personal use of trucks, but if you don't, geofencing can help you monitor after-hours use to maintain lower insurance rates and preserve fuel costs.

Receive Alerts in Real Time

Emergencies can occur in a moment, requiring swift action and decision-making. With intuitive technology installed within your fleet, you'll receive immediate alerts that help you understand what's happening, communicate with your workers, and offer solutions.

Fleet management devices will also track your vehicle's condition in real time, alerting you to diagnostic trouble codes, low-battery warnings, driver-vehicle inspection reports, and even registration expiration. With this information, you can perform maintenance to keep your trucks on the road.

 

Explore Our Oil Gas Fleet Solutions

We offer scalable fleet management solutions for your operations in the oil and gas industry. As one of the oldest names in transportation, we've created a unified, cloud-based platform that allows you to gain valuable insights and do business confidently. Our GPS asset tracking, navigation assistance, and safety video telematics can help you oversee your vehicles and make decisions that benefit your efficiency and profit margins.

If you want to learn more about how we can implement the best safety practices for your oil and gas fleet, contact us online.