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Minimum Industry Safety Training

Date: 26 Oct 2009

Overview: An introduction to the MIST programme:

In 2007 the industry workforce via the “Boots on for Safety” campaign identified basic safety knowledge and awareness as a key concern throughout the UK offshore oil and gas industry. A Step Change in Safety Leadership Workgroup was formed to improve safety performance by applying best practice training at a consistent level across industry in safety critical areas.

The outcome has been the development and implementation of a Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) Standard to be applied by all across the UK offshore oil and gas sector – supporting industry’s target that by the end of 2010 the UK offshore workforce will have completed the MIST programme.

The new MIST Standard covers nine basic safety elements:

Introduction to the Hazardous Offshore Environment
Working Safely (including Safety Observations Systems)

Risk Assessment
Permit to Work (also called Control of Work)
Platform Integrity
Manual Handling
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Working at Height
Mechanical Lifting

*Important Note: It is for employers, in conjunction with the relevant duty holder of the installation concerned, to determine which programme is most appropriate to their employees. Any doubt regarding the prior experience of employees should indicate that they should successfully complete the new entrant course (either at an approved external establishment or as an in-house approved programme). A basic rule of thumb is that from April 1st 2009, anyone requiring a BOSIET, or has a BOSIET but hasn't yet been offshore, is advised to successfully attend a 2-day 'New Entrant' course or approved in-house alternative.


MIST for Individuals:

The Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) programme is relevant to every member of the offshore UK oil and gas industry workforce.


For workers new to the industry:

A 2 day OPITO Approved training course is available at locations throughout the UK, covering all nine basic safety elements. Click here to find an approved Training Provider near you. Alternatively, your employer may have OPITO approval to offer MIST training 'in house'.

For experienced offshore workers:

A quick and efficient OPITO Approved e-learning tool will guide you through the nine basic safety elements and fill identified knowledge gaps (subject to a refresher every four years).


Benefits to you – be confident that:

Your co-workers share a standardised level of safety training and awareness
Your industry is committed to making the UK the safest place to work in the worldwide oil and gas industry
You minimise duplicate and repetitive safety training

The MIST programme is an essential part of your offshore training and development and many industry employers already have their MIST implementation plans in place. Speak to your supervisor or HR department to find out more.


MIST for Employers:

There are different methods of training available to employers depending upon preferences and requirements.

For workers new to the industry:

There are 2 possible routes for training new entrants:

1. Training at an OPITO Approved Training Provider:

A 2 day course is available from approved training organisations (Click here for a list of approved providers) and the cost of the training will vary according to the provider selected, how many places you wish to book etc. All approved training providers will include the cost of registering the delegate onto the Vantage Central Register database on satisfactory completion of the course and will provide you with course joining instructions and certificates of attendance.

2. Training your own staff:

Employers can deliver an approved 2 day dedicated course, or combine the MIST content within their own induction training. Approval must be sought prior to delivery of this training. Employers can also obtain approval to provide MIST to employees as part of an on-going in-house training programme e.g. where you already have an induction course that covers most or all of the nine areas listed. There are free training resources available to help you deliver this training and approval is free of charge for employers that do not provide the training commercially to third parties (a Vantage registration fee of £21.00 per delegate registration does apply). Employers must have access to suitably trained and qualified staff to deliver the training.

Approval must be applied for by completing an application form and submitting details of the training to be delivered prior to a site audit. All the necessary documentation can be downloaded here:

MIST Standard
Guide to OPITO Approval for Employing Company
Application Form for Employing Company for MIST
Desktop Audit Approval - Guidance Matrix for Employing Company

MIST training material for use in the 2-day 'New Entrant to the Industry' training classes is now available (free of charge). For more information contact Lisa GeddesThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For experienced offshore workers:

An on-line (E-learning) programme is available to effectively assess the current level of knowledge possessed by staff and identify any knowledge gaps. This programme will then provide tailored learning to address these knowledge gaps and follow this with a re-assessment.

To gain access to this programme, employers will need to purchase a user licence for each delegate at £65.40 each. Delegates can access the programme via the internet at any location where there is a registered invigilator. Companies may appoint invigilators (subject to conditions) to supervise delegates.

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