Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Workplace Safety Strategy for Offshore Oil Drilling Corporation
     Joseph Robinson    |    Workplace Safety


Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Workplace Safety to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, KPIs, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. We followed this management consulting approach for this case study.

TLDR An offshore oil drilling corporation faced a 20% increase in safety incidents and a 15% rise in operational costs due to outdated safety technologies and procedural failures. By implementing advanced safety technologies and optimizing processes through Lean Manufacturing, the company significantly reduced incidents and achieved cost savings, highlighting the importance of strong Change Management and continuous employee engagement.

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Consider this scenario: An offshore oil drilling corporation faces significant challenges in maintaining workplace safety, amidst the inherently hazardous nature of oil and gas extraction.

The company has experienced a 20% increase in safety incidents over the past year, attributing to both internal procedural failures and external environmental risks. Additionally, the organization grapples with a 15% rise in operational costs, linked to inefficiencies and outdated safety technologies. The primary strategic objective of the organization is to drastically improve workplace safety measures while optimizing operational efficiency to ensure the well-being of its workforce and reduce unnecessary expenditures.



The organization under discussion is navigating through turbulent waters, primarily due to its struggle with maintaining an optimal level of workplace safety in an industry known for its high-risk environment. The increase in safety incidents suggests possible gaps in the current safety protocols and the adoption of outdated safety technologies. Moreover, the spike in operational costs indicates inefficiencies that, if addressed, could not only improve safety but also enhance overall operational performance.

Industry Analysis

The oil and gas extraction industry is characterized by high volatility, influenced by geopolitical tensions, fluctuating oil prices, and evolving environmental regulations. This industry is capital-intensive and entails significant risks, including workplace safety hazards.

  • Internal Rivalry: Intense competition exists among large multinational corporations and state-owned entities striving for market share and access to resources.
  • Supplier Power: High, due to the specialized nature of equipment and services required in oil and gas extraction.
  • Buyer Power: Moderate, influenced by global oil demand and supply dynamics.
  • Threat of New Entrants: Low, given the high barriers to entry, including substantial capital requirements and regulatory hurdles.
  • Threat of Substitutes: Growing, with increased investment in renewable energy sources as alternatives to oil and gas.

Emergent trends in the industry include digital transformation initiatives aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and safety, and a shift towards more sustainable practices. Major changes in industry dynamics include:

  • Increased regulatory scrutiny on workplace safety and environmental impact, presenting both compliance challenges and opportunities for leadership in sustainability.
  • Advancements in technology, offering the chance to improve operational efficiency and safety but requiring significant investment and change management.
  • Growing pressure from stakeholders for transparency and accountability in safety and environmental practices, necessitating improved communication and reporting mechanisms.

Additionally, a STEEPLE analysis reveals significant external factors impacting the industry, including tightening environmental regulations (Legal), advancements in safety and operational technologies (Technological), and evolving societal expectations around corporate responsibility (Social and Ethical).

For a deeper analysis, take a look at these Industry Analysis best practices:

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Internal Assessment

The corporation boasts significant experience and resources in offshore oil drilling but faces challenges in workplace safety and operational inefficiencies. Its strong market position and technological capabilities are counterbalanced by gaps in current safety practices and the adoption of new technologies.

SWOT Analysis

The corporation's strengths include deep expertise in oil extraction and a robust financial position. Opportunities lie in adopting advanced safety technologies and operational best practices to enhance workplace safety and efficiency. Weaknesses are evident in current safety protocols and the slow adoption of new technologies. Threats include regulatory penalties for safety breaches and reputational damage from safety incidents.

McKinsey 7-S Analysis

The analysis highlights misalignments between strategy, structure, and systems in addressing safety and operational challenges. Strengthening the shared values around safety, enhancing staff competencies in new technologies, and optimizing the style of leadership to prioritize safety and innovation are crucial.

Gap Analysis

Identified gaps include the lag in adopting cutting-edge safety technologies and methodologies, insufficient safety culture integration across all operational levels, and operational inefficiencies contributing to increased costs and safety risks.

Strategic Initiatives

  • Implement Advanced Safety Technologies: This initiative aims to overhaul the current safety systems by incorporating advanced technologies such as real-time monitoring and predictive analytics. The intended impact is a significant reduction in safety incidents and operational disruptions. The source of value creation comes from improving workplace safety and operational efficiency, expected to reduce costs associated with incidents and downtime. This initiative requires investment in technology, training, and change management.
  • Strengthen Safety Culture: Focus on embedding a robust safety culture through comprehensive training programs, leadership commitment, and employee engagement. The intended impact is enhanced safety awareness and practices at all organizational levels. The source of value creation lies in minimizing safety incidents through proactive practices and behaviors, expected to improve employee well-being and reduce compliance risks. Resources needed include training materials, communication tools, and leadership development programs.
  • Optimize Operational Processes: By streamlining operational processes and adopting best practices in efficiency, this initiative aims to reduce operational costs and improve safety outcomes. The source of value creation stems from operational excellence leading to cost savings and reduced risk of safety incidents. This will require process reengineering, technology upgrades, and operational training.

Workplace Safety Implementation KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


In God we trust. All others must bring data.
     – W. Edwards Deming

  • Reduction in Safety Incidents: A key metric to assess the effectiveness of the new safety technologies and culture initiatives.
  • Operational Cost Savings: Measures the financial impact of operational optimization initiatives.
  • Employee Safety Training Completion Rates: Indicates the level of engagement and compliance with the new safety culture.

These KPIs offer insights into the success of the strategic initiatives in enhancing workplace safety, optimizing operations, and achieving the strategic objective of operational excellence with a strong safety culture. Tracking these metrics closely will enable timely adjustments to the strategic plan to ensure its success.

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Workplace Safety Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Workplace Safety. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Workplace Safety subject matter experts.

Workplace Safety Deliverables

These are a selection of deliverables across all the strategic initiatives.

  • Safety Technology Implementation Plan (PPT)
  • Safety Culture Enhancement Roadmap (PPT)
  • Operational Efficiency Framework (PPT)
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis Model (Excel)

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Implement Advanced Safety Technologies

The organization adopted the Diffusion of Innovations Theory to guide the implementation of advanced safety technologies. Developed by Everett Rogers, this theory explains how, why, and at what rate new ideas and technology spread. It was particularly useful for this strategic initiative because it provided a framework for understanding how the adoption of new safety technologies could be accelerated among the workforce. The organization then proceeded to implement the framework as follows:

  • Identified innovators and early adopters within the organization who could champion the adoption of new safety technologies.
  • Utilized these champions to demonstrate the relative advantage of the new technologies over existing practices, focusing on the technologies’ impact on improving safety and efficiency.
  • Organized workshops and training sessions to increase the observability of the new technologies, allowing employees to see the benefits firsthand.

Additionally, the organization employed the Value Chain Analysis to identify specific activities within its operations where new safety technologies could add the most value. This analysis helped in pinpointing areas of high risk and inefficiency, thus directing investment in technology to where it was needed most. The steps taken included:

  • Conducted a thorough review of the entire value chain, from inbound logistics to operations, to identify critical points where safety incidents were most likely to occur.
  • Matched these points with appropriate technological solutions, such as real-time monitoring systems for remote operations and predictive analytics for equipment maintenance.
  • Implemented these technologies in a phased approach, starting with areas of highest risk and potential return on investment.

The results of implementing these frameworks were significant. The adoption of new safety technologies became widespread across the organization, leading to a marked decrease in safety incidents. Moreover, by targeting specific areas of the value chain, the organization was able to realize substantial improvements in operational efficiency alongside enhanced safety measures.

Strengthen Safety Culture

For the strategic initiative to strengthen safety culture, the organization turned to Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model. This framework, developed by John Kotter, provides a methodical approach to leading change, with a strong emphasis on building a company culture that supports the change. It proved invaluable in embedding a robust safety culture across all levels of the organization. Following Kotter’s steps, the organization:

  • Established a sense of urgency around the need for a stronger safety culture by sharing safety performance data and personal stories from employees affected by safety incidents.
  • Formed a powerful coalition of safety champions across departments to guide the change effort.
  • Developed a vision and strategy for the new safety culture, which included specific behaviors and practices that would be promoted and rewarded.

In parallel, the organization applied the Organizational Culture Assessment Instrument (OCAI) to assess the current culture in terms of safety and identify the desired cultural profile. This involved:

  • Conducting a comprehensive survey using the OCAI framework to gauge current cultural attitudes towards safety.
  • Engaging in workshops with employees at all levels to discuss the results and what the desired safety culture would look like.
  • Developing action plans based on the assessment and discussions to bridge the gap between the current and desired culture.

The combination of Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model and the OCAI framework led to a profound shift in the organization’s safety culture. Employees became more proactive about safety, leading to a reduction in incidents and near misses. The change also fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility for safety across the organization, contributing to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Optimize Operational Processes

To optimize operational processes, the organization utilized the Theory of Constraints (TOC). This framework, developed by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, focuses on identifying the most significant limiting factor (constraint) that stands in the way of achieving a goal and then systematically improving that constraint until it is no longer the limiting factor. The TOC was instrumental in identifying bottlenecks in the organization's operations that impacted safety and efficiency. The organization implemented the framework through the following steps:

  • Identified the critical constraints within operational processes that led to inefficiencies and increased safety risks.
  • Focused resources on improving these constraints, such as by upgrading equipment or retraining staff on best practices.
  • Continuously reviewed and adjusted processes to ensure that as one constraint was addressed, the next bottleneck was identified and tackled.

Furthermore, the organization adopted Lean Manufacturing principles to complement the work done with TOC. Lean Manufacturing focuses on the elimination of waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously ensuring quality and improving productivity. The organization:

  • Mapped out all operational processes to identify non-value-adding activities that could be eliminated or minimized.
  • Implemented 5S methodology to organize workplaces in a manner that reduces waste and optimizes productivity.
  • Engaged employees in continuous improvement programs, encouraging suggestions for process improvements and safety enhancements.

The application of the Theory of Constraints and Lean Manufacturing principles led to a streamlined operation with significantly reduced safety incidents. These improvements not only enhanced workplace safety but also resulted in considerable cost savings and increased operational efficiency, demonstrating the interconnection between safety, quality, and productivity.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Implemented advanced safety technologies, resulting in a marked decrease in safety incidents across the organization.
  • Strengthened safety culture, achieving a reduction in incidents and near misses through proactive employee engagement and responsibility.
  • Optimized operational processes using the Theory of Constraints and Lean Manufacturing, leading to significant cost savings and increased efficiency.
  • Realized substantial improvements in operational efficiency alongside enhanced safety measures by targeting specific areas of the value chain.
  • Employee safety training completion rates improved, indicating high engagement and compliance with the new safety culture.

The strategic initiatives undertaken by the organization to improve workplace safety and optimize operational efficiency have yielded significant results. The implementation of advanced safety technologies and the strengthening of the safety culture have directly contributed to a decrease in safety incidents, demonstrating the effectiveness of these measures. The optimization of operational processes through the Theory of Constraints and Lean Manufacturing has not only enhanced safety but also led to considerable cost savings and increased operational efficiency. However, the journey was not without its challenges. The initial resistance to change and the slow adoption of new technologies highlight the importance of effective change management and the need for continuous engagement with all stakeholders. Furthermore, while the reduction in safety incidents is commendable, it is crucial to maintain vigilance and continuously seek improvements to ensure long-term sustainability of these results.

Based on the analysis, the recommended next steps include the continuous monitoring and refinement of safety protocols to adapt to any changes in the operational environment or industry standards. Additionally, investing in ongoing training and development programs for employees to reinforce the safety culture and adapt to new technologies is crucial. Exploring further opportunities for operational optimization through technological advancements and process improvements should also be a priority. Finally, establishing a feedback loop from employees to management will ensure that the initiatives remain relevant and effective, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Source: Workplace Safety Strategy for Offshore Oil Drilling Corporation, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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