Sustainable occupational safety risk management

Abstract

This paper entitled “Sustainable occupational safety risk management” provides an overview of the integration of traditional occupational risk management with sustainable development goals, addressing aspects related to worker protection in the Colombian energy sector.

First, the author emphasizes the importance of sustainable occupational safety as an approach that recognizes worker protection and environmental sustainability as complementary objectives, as a basis for addressing challenges arising from the energy transition.

One of the central aspects of the work is the methodology based on the PDCA continuous improvement cycle and the international standards ISO 45001 and ISO 14001, demonstrating that tools such as safe work analysis (SWA) and process hazard analysis (HazOp) sustainably reduce accident rates. This enables applications in reducing the frequency and severity rates of occupational accidents at Ecopetrol.

Additionally, examples are presented illustrating synergies between risk management and sustainability, such as the reduction of operational incidents that simultaneously contributes to environmental protection.

Finally, the study discusses challenges related to the ongoing updating of methodologies in the face of new technologies, including hazards associated with the energy transition, and highlights the importance of continuous training programs and a reporting culture to promote shared value among workers, organizations and society.