MIST Training | For offshore workers in the UK North Sea

MIST training is the UK-introduced safety standard for all personnel working in the UK-governed region of the North Sea. The abbreviation stands for Minimum Industry Safety Training. Here is an introduction to what MIST is all about.

Why is there a need for MIST training?

To work onboard an offshore vessel or installation means working in remote areas where help can be very far away. The work sometimes involves handling complicated equipment, different types of liquids and chemicals, and working in confined spaces. All of which is potentially hazardous. With limited access to help from others, offshore workers have to know how to handle themselves in case of emergencies or distress.

One of the industry's worst accidents happened in 1988 where the Piper Alpha Disaster killed 167 people. Since then, several initiatives have been implemented to make offshore workers safer. MIST is one of those initiatives.

MIST - a success for the oil & gas industry safety

Basic safety and competency training have varied dramatically from region to region. In the oil and gas industry workers from any number of different companies and nationalities are working side by side. A common approach to training is to ensure that everyone can carry out their job to the same high standard and return home safely at the end of the day.

With the increased industry focus on education and minimum standards, there have been significant improvements in offshore safety. From 2000 to 2010, the combined fatal and major injury rate was reduced by almost 70%. Workers suffering work-related injuries that keep them away from work for more than three days were reduced by 60%.

The MIST-standard was defined by the industry in collaboration with OPITO and was released in October 2009. OPITO is the industry's focal point for skills, training and workforce development, and MIST remains maintained by OPITO.

What is a MIST training course?

A MIST training is a two-day course. The two-day classroom training is tailored for personnel new to the industry. Delegates go through basic safety training in a five-module programme which is concluded by a final exam. All exam questions must be correct to get the MIST-certification.

Delegates will undertake instruction and gain knowledge in the following subjects.

• Major Accident Hazards
• Workplace Hazards and Personal Safety
• Risk Management
• Control of Work
• Helicopter Safety

Delegates can participate in MIST training with no prior experience. However, it is expected that this programme will be taken after the OPITO approved Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training course (BOSIET).

MIST training online

A MIST certificate is valid for four years. To re-validate the certificate, the delegate can take an online refresher course. The online MIST training will complete a post-exam to automatically detect areas that need improvements.

IMIST VS MIST - what is the difference?

MIST is a safety standard that applies to the UK-governed region of the North Sea. IMIST is the international standard that applies to all other areas of the world.

The content of the IMIST standard is quite similar to MIST. The one big difference between the two standards, however, is how it is implemented. MIST is mandatory in almost all aspects working on and offshore in the UK. In other words, a valid MIST certificate is a must for everyone involved with any offshore activity.

IMIST is implemented differently. Internationally, IMIST requirements are based on individual company policies. Some companies require their workers to an IMIST-certificate. Others do not.

IMIST covers basic safety knowledge across nine subject areas including risk assessment, asset integrity, the use of hazardous substances, working at height, and mechanical lifting among other subjects.