The Workforce Engagement Support Team (WEST) aims to support the workforce through proactive engagement to improve safety for our industry.
A fully engaged workforce is one of the most effective barriers against incidents and accidents. Engaged workers will feel empowered to raise awareness of unsafe situations, which can enhance a culture of safety at worksites. WEST works towards creating this culture.
Teashack News
The workgroup creates Teashack News, a quarterly publication which aims to engage the workforce through topical news stories and sharing of best practice, resulting in a better informed and safer workforce.
Contact us
To contact the WEST workgroup, e-mail info@stepchangeinsafety.net
Useful Resources
Workforce Engagement Toolkit
There is clear evidence that a fully engaged workforce will drive a safer workplace and will also result in improved overall business performance.
The Workforce Engagement Toolkit allows companies to measure and improve their levels of workforce engagement at specific worksites and understand strengths and weaknesses, and develop improvement action plans.
Central to the toolkit is a unique worksite survey that asks questions around visibility, communication, involvement, support, challenge and participation.
Click here to access the Workforce Engagement practical guide and supporting documents
PDF DOCUMENT DOWNLOAD
Workforce Engagement Survey Tool - Quick-start guide
A quick-start guide to Workforce Engagement Survey Tool
Updated document
Boots on for Safety
The Boots on for Safety support document has been revised to reflect current Boots on for Safety site visits and virtual BoFS engagement
PDF DOCUMENT DOWNLOAD
Workforce Engagement case studies
A selection of case studies relating to Workforce Engagement
Videos to watch
Time Out for Safety
"TOFS" is a series of industry panel sessions are hosted by Step Change in Safety and covering important and relevant safety issues.
INCLUSIVE OFFSHORE WORKING PRACTICES
AXIS Network
Step Change in Safety and AXIS Network are partnering to develop guidance for operators and the supply chain on inclusive offshore working practices.
WORKGROUP LEADERSHIP
WEST's Co-Chairs are:
- 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.
Latest Alerts & Moments
Our searchable catalogue of hundreds of Safety Alerts and Safety Moments are all designed as learning resources that can help improve workplace safety.
Upcoming Events
Events, forums and webinars focused on improving workforce safety. View our upcoming events below.
Latest News
Read all of the latest news from Step Change in Safety in our newsroom.
New Safety Policy – Safe Weight Limit
Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) has announced that a new Safe Weight Limit policy will come into effect from 1 November 2026.
New Safety Leadership Development Programme Launched in Collaboration with Member Organisations
For Site Managers & Supervisors in high-hazard environments, this programme builds leadership, coaching, and communication skills for safer, high-impact teams.