One mistake can cost a life. In oil and gas refineries, where workers handle flammable materials, heavy machinery, and high-pressure systems daily, the risk of fatal incidents is always present. 

In Canada, over 20% of all workplace deaths happen in the construction and oil & gas sectors combined, according to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC). That’s why safety can’t be just a checklist — it needs to be a way of working.

To tackle this, the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) created the Life Saving Rules — ten simple, clear actions that can prevent the most serious on-site accidents. 

These rules were developed after analyzing 376 deaths, all of which could have been avoided if basic safety steps were followed. They’re not just best practices — they’re based on real incidents where lives were lost.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through each of the Life Saving Rules and explain how they apply specifically in refinery settings. 

Whether you’re a worker, supervisor, or safety manager, understanding and following these rules can mean the difference between a normal day at work and a tragedy. 

What Are Life Saving Rules?

Life Saving Rules are clear, non-negotiable safety actions designed to stop serious injuries and fatalities before they happen. 

These rules focus on the highest-risk activities in the oil and gas industry—such as working at height, operating heavy equipment, or handling hazardous energy. 

They are meant to be simple enough for every worker to understand and follow, regardless of their role or experience level.

The Life Saving Rules were developed by the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) after a global review of more than 1,400 workplace fatalities and over 1,100 high-potential incidents. 

The findings revealed that most deadly incidents involved repeated patterns of unsafe behaviours that could have been prevented by following basic safety principles. 

To break this cycle, the IOGP created ten key rules that directly address the leading causes of fatal accidents.

Each rule is tied to a high-risk activity and includes specific “Do” and “Don’t” behaviours. For example, “Work with a valid permit when required” or “Never disable safety equipment.” 

These rules aren’t just recommendations — they are minimum expectations that everyone on site must meet, from field technicians to senior managers.

In Canada’s oil and gas sector, where workers face complex and hazardous conditions, Life Saving Rules play a critical role in building a stronger safety culture. They encourage open reporting, where workers feel safe speaking up about risks without fear of blame or punishment.

Most importantly, the rules empower workers to stop any unsafe job, even if it means interrupting operations.

When everyone is on the same page about safety expectations, it becomes easier to prevent serious incidents. The Life Saving Rules act as a shared language of safety — simple, actionable, and focused on saving lives. 

By following these rules into daily operations, companies can reduce risks, protect workers, and create a workplace where safety is everyone’s responsibility.

The 10 Life Saving Rules Explained

Every one of the Life Saving Rules targets a specific, high-risk activity that has repeatedly led to serious injuries or deaths in the oil and gas industry. 

Let’s break them down one by one, starting with a critical rule that protects against invisible but deadly hazards.

1. Conduct Gas Testing When Required

Toxic gases, flammable vapours, and low oxygen levels can kill — often without warning. That’s why conducting gas testing is one of the most important Life Saving Rules in any refinery or oil & gas site.

When to Test

1. Before entering a confined space like tanks, vessels, or pits.
2. Before starting hot work (welding, grinding, cutting) in areas that may contain hydrocarbons.
3. Before re-entering an area after a leak or shutdown.
4. Routinely in areas where gas build-up could occur, especially enclosed or poorly ventilated zones.

Equipment Used

1. Multi-gas monitors to detect flammable gases, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), carbon monoxide, and oxygen levels.
2. Fixed and portable continuous gas meters for ongoing real-time monitoring.
3. Bump testing tools to confirm detectors are functioning before use.

Why Trained Personnel Matter

1. Only qualified workers should perform gas testing.
2. Training ensures they understand threshold limits (e.g., Lower Explosive Limit or LEL).
3. They must also know how to respond if readings indicate danger—whether that’s ventilating the area or stopping work immediately.

Don’t Forget Retesting

1. Gas levels can change rapidly due to weather, ventilation shifts, or nearby work.
2. Retest frequently—especially if the job is paused or the conditions change.

In Canadian refineries, where H₂S and confined spaces are common, this rule isn’t optional. It’s your first line of defence against an invisible killer.

2. Work with a Valid Work Permit When Required

A work permit is more than just paperwork—it’s a safety control tool that ensures everyone understands the hazards involved in a job and agrees on how to manage them. 

In oil and gas refineries, this rule is crucial because high-risk tasks often involve multiple teams, systems, and hidden dangers.

What Is a Work Permit?

A work permit is an official, signed document that gives permission to begin specific types of high-risk work. It confirms that safety checks have been completed and that all potential hazards are controlled.

When Is a Permit Required?

You must never begin high-risk work without a valid, signed permit. This includes:

1. Confined space entry (e.g., tanks, sewers, or silos)
2. Hot work like welding or grinding in flammable areas
3. Energy isolation (Lockout/Tagout) procedures
4. Working at height or in trenches
5. Breaking containment on pressurized or hazardous systems

Key Steps in the Permit Process

1. Initiation: Supervisor or permit issuer reviews the task and identifies all hazards.
2. Hazard Assessment: Teams evaluate potential risks and safety controls.
3. Communication: All involved workers must read and understand the permit.
4. Approval: A competent authority (like a safety officer or supervisor) signs off on the permit.
5. Display: The permit must be visible at the worksite.
6. Closure: Once work is complete, the permit is signed off and filed to confirm the job ended safely.

A valid permit means you’ve done your homework. Without it, you’re working blind—and risking lives.

3. Verify Isolation Before Work Begins and Use Life-Protecting Equipment

Uncontrolled energy is one of the deadliest hazards on a refinery site. Whether it’s electricity, high-pressure gas, or stored hydraulic energy, failing to isolate it properly can lead to fatal consequences. 

That’s why this rule combines energy isolation with the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for All Energy Sources

Before work starts, all energy sources must be completely isolated and locked out. This includes:

1. Electrical circuits
2. Hydraulic and pneumatic systems
3. Steam or thermal lines
4. Mechanical movement (e.g., rotating equipment)

Use the Try-Test-Verify Method

1. Try to operate the equipment to ensure it's off.
2. Test all circuits with approved testing tools.
3. Verify that energy has been successfully isolated before starting the task.

Group Lock Box Systems

1. For complex jobs with multiple workers, use a group lock box.
2. Each person attaches their personal lock, ensuring no work can resume until all parties agree.
3. This method creates accountability and avoids premature re-energization.

PPE for Life-Threatening Scenarios

1. Use arc flash suits when working near electrical panels.
2. Wear chemical-resistant suits and gloves for chemical line maintenance.
3. Use hearing protection and respiratory gear if required by the permit.

Don’t Forget Depressurization

1. Always confirm that piping and vessels are depressurized before breaking containment.
2. Use pressure gauges and bleeder valves to verify zero energy presence.

Isolation isn’t just turning off a switch. It’s a step-by-step process that must be verified, shared, and respected. And PPE isn’t just a backup—it’s your last line of defence so you need to invest in a PPE training course. 

When used correctly, this rule saves lives by removing the hidden dangers behind routine tasks.

4. Obtain Authorisation Before Overriding or Disabling Safety-Critical Equipment

Safety-critical equipment exists for one reason: to protect people, assets, and the environment. Overriding or disabling such systems—even temporarily—can lead to catastrophic consequences. 

This Life Saving Rule ensures that no one tampers with protective systems without formal approval and controls in place.

What Is Safety-Critical Equipment?

1. Gas detectors that alert workers to flammable or toxic gas levels
2. Pressure relief valves that prevent explosions
3. Emergency shutdown systems (ESD) for equipment
4. Fire and smoke alarms, interlocks, and isolation valves

These systems are designed to activate when conditions become unsafe. Bypassing them creates hidden risks that often don’t become obvious until it’s too late.

Why Bypassing Is Dangerous

1. Disabling alarms may cause workers to miss a life-threatening leak.
2. Overriding interlocks might allow machinery to run while someone is inside a confined space.

In Canada, similar system failures have contributed to major refinery incidents, including fires and explosions.

Approval and Logging Requirements

1. All overrides must be formally authorized, typically by a supervisor, safety officer, or control room manager.
2. A risk assessment must be completed to evaluate the impact of the override.
3. All details should be documented in the control log—why the override is needed, who approved it, and when it expires.
4. Overrides must be clearly labelled, monitored, and reversed immediately after the task is complete.

Real-World Lessons

In one refinery incident, a gas detection system was bypassed for maintenance without notifying workers. 

Hours later, an unnoticed leak caused an explosion that injured several people. The post-incident review found that the lack of override control was a direct cause.

Overrides are not shortcuts—they’re exceptions that require strict control. If safety equipment is deactivated, everyone is put at risk. This rule ensures that critical systems stay online when they’re needed most.

5. Protect Yourself Against a Fall When Working at Height

Falls remain one of the leading causes of fatal injuries in the oil and gas industry, especially in refineries where work often happens on towers, platforms, or scaffolding. 

This Life Saving Rule aims to ensure workers are protected any time they work above 1.8 metres (about 6 feet), in line with Canadian occupational safety regulations.

When Does This Rule Apply?

1. Any work above 1.8 m (6 feet) from the ground or next level
2. Tasks performed on ladders, scaffolds, or rooftops
3. Jobs on pipes, catwalks, or elevated tanks

Fall Protection Requirements

1. Always wear a full-body harness connected to a secure anchorage point.
2. Use lanyards, retractable lifelines, and shock absorbers based on the job.
3. Only work from engineered platforms with proper guardrails—never makeshift or temporary structures.
4. Avoid climbing on process equipment unless specifically designed for access.

Daily Equipment Checks

1. Inspect harnesses for fraying, rust, missing buckles, or worn stitching.
2. Ensure anchor points are rated to handle the expected fall load.
3. Tag and remove damaged equipment immediately.

Elevated Work Platform Safety

1. Use scissor lifts, boom lifts, or properly installed scaffolding.
2. Check that platforms have toe boards, midrails, and top rails.

Fall Rescue Planning

1. Every job must include a rescue plan—how to retrieve a worker if they fall and are suspended in a harness.
2. Make sure trained personnel and rescue tools (e.g., tripods, winches) are available on site.

Protecting yourself at height isn’t just policy—it’s personal safety. This rule helps ensure you go home at the end of the day.

6. Do Not Walk Under a Suspended Load

This Life Saving Rule is simple but critical: Never walk or stand under a suspended load. It doesn’t matter if the load is still, if the crane is stationary, or if “it’ll just be a second.” The risk is not worth the convenience.

Why It’s Dangerous

A suspended load can fall without warning due to:

1. Rigging failure: Slings or chains can snap, hooks can detach.
2. Boom collapse: Equipment like cranes or hoists can suffer mechanical failure.
3. Load shift: An unbalanced or improperly secured load can move unexpectedly, tipping the crane or dislodging the item.
4. Weather or vibrations: Wind or nearby machinery can destabilize the lift.

Even a small object dropped from height can cause serious injury or death. In Canadian industrial settings, dropped objects and crush injuries are among the most common and preventable incidents.

Key Safety Measures

1. Pre-lift planning: Identify hazards, select rigging, and assign roles before the lift begins.
2. Barricading lift zones: Use cones, caution tape, and physical barriers to mark danger areas.
3. Use of spotters: A trained spotter helps keep people out of harm’s way and communicates with the lift operator.
4. Lift route planning: Avoid moving loads over walkways, work zones, or high-traffic areas.

What Workers Must Do

1. Stay alert and never assume the load is secure.
2. Report unbarricaded lift zones or missing signage immediately.
3. If you see someone under a load, speak up.

There’s no safe way to stand under a suspended load. This rule exists because people have died from doing just that—often during routine lifts. Following it means refusing to take shortcuts when heavy equipment is involved.

7. Work Only on Equipment That Has Been Properly Isolated

Before any maintenance or repair work begins, equipment must be completely isolated and confirmed safe to work on. This Life Saving Rule ensures no one works on pressurized, energized, or hazardous systems without full safety controls in place.

Key Hazards of Poor Isolation

1. Stored energy (electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic) can release unexpectedly.
2. Pressure build-up in pipes or vessels can cause line bursts or chemical exposure.
3. Moving parts may engage if not properly locked out.
4. Uncontrolled release of gases or fluids can lead to toxic exposure or fire.

Isolation Requirements

1. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures must be followed using physical locks and tags.
2. All systems must be de-energized and depressurized.
3. Use blinds or line plugs for chemical or gas systems to prevent backflow.
4. Confirm isolation with zero energy testing tools (e.g., voltage testers, pressure gauges).

Line Breaking Safety

1. Never break open a system unless you are sure there is no energy or pressure.
2. Wear proper PPE for potential sprays (chemical suits, face shields, gloves).
3. Use drip pans and open flanges slowly while facing away.

Coordination Is Key

1. Operators must confirm shutdown and isolation.
2. Maintainers should verify isolation independently.
3. The control room must stay informed and ensure no system restarts during work.
4. All isolation points must be clearly documented and signed off.

Before touching the equipment, always verify zero energy. This might include checking gauges, bleeding off pressure, and confirming that stored energy is released.

Assumptions can be deadly. Always isolate, verify, and communicate. This rule exists to stop workers from getting hurt or killed by equipment that wasn’t fully shut down. One missed step could be irreversible.

8. Wear Your Seat Belt

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the easiest — yet most ignored — ways to prevent injury or death in a moving vehicle. In oil and gas refineries, this rule applies not just to road vehicles, but to all mobile equipment on site.

Why Seat Belts Matter

Even at low speeds, sudden stops or impacts can throw occupants from their seats, causing serious injuries. 

According to WorkSafeBC, vehicle-related incidents are a top cause of serious injuries in industrial workplaces, including refineries and mining sites.

Where This Rule Applies

1. Shuttle buses transporting workers across large refineries
2. Light-duty trucks and pickups used for inspections and transport
3. Forklifts, skid steers, and loaders used inside maintenance yards or warehouses
4. ATVs and UTVs on rugged or remote terrain

Key Safety Practices

1. Always buckle up before moving, even if it’s a short trip within the plant.
2. Supervisors should enforce compliance through spot checks.
3. Use visual and audio seatbelt reminders in vehicles whenever possible.

Non-Compliance Risks

1. Workers have been thrown from vehicles or crushed during rollovers.
2. Near-miss reports from Canadian refineries show multiple cases of workers not wearing belts during unexpected stops or low-speed collisions.
3. In some tragic cases, the lack of a seatbelt directly contributed to fatal outcomes.

Wearing a seatbelt takes two seconds. But not wearing one could cost your life. This rule is not about convenience — it’s about survival in unpredictable environments. Additionally, forklift operator training can help the employees understand and manage the risk associated with rash driving.

9. Do Not Use Your Phone While Driving and Do Not Exceed Speed Limits

Distractions and speeding are silent killers — and both are entirely preventable. This Life Saving Rule focuses on keeping vehicle operators focused, alert, and in control at all times.

Key Hazards

1. Using a phone or radio while driving diverts attention and slows reaction times.
2. Speeding increases stopping distance and crash severity, especially in tight refinery roads or near pedestrians.

According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, distracted driving is now a leading cause of road fatalities in Canada, surpassing impaired driving in some provinces. 

The same risks apply inside industrial sites, where blind spots, noise, and heavy traffic make driving even more hazardous.

How to Stay Compliant

1. Use hands-free or mounted devices only when stationary and permitted.
2. Follow posted speed limits, typically under 30 km/h inside most Canadian refineries.
3. Perform vehicle pre-use checks (lights, brakes, horns, seat belts).
4. Use designated routes and traffic control plans, especially for deliveries and shift changes.
5. Enroll in a defensive driving training course to understand the risk and prevent possible accidents. 

Real-Life Consequences

Several fatalities in refineries have occurred due to drivers using phones or exceeding speed limits, often while transporting tools or passengers.

When you’re behind the wheel, driving safely is your only job. No message, call, or rush is worth risking a life.

10. Fitness for Duty

No matter how well-trained or experienced you are, if you’re tired, impaired, or emotionally distracted, you’re not safe to work. Fitness for Duty ensures that everyone on site is mentally and physically capable of doing their job safely.

Key Risks

1. Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs decision-making.
2. Alcohol or drug use can lead to poor coordination and memory loss.
3. Stress, mental illness, or personal issues may cause lapses in focus or risky choices.

What Workers Should Do

1. Conduct a daily self-check: Am I alert? Am I feeling “off”? Did I sleep enough?
2. Speak to a supervisor if feeling unwell or emotionally overwhelmed.
3. Avoid showing up to work under the influence — this includes prescription meds that impair alertness.

Supervisor Responsibilities

1. Watch for signs of fatigue: yawning, slurred speech, blank stares, or slowed responses.
2. Support workers who report issues honestly, without punishment.
3. Offer breaks, role reassignment, or time off if a worker is clearly unfit for duty.

Encouraging a Supportive Culture

1. Build a team culture where mental health is taken seriously.
2. Share info about Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs).
3. De-stigmatize stress, burnout, or asking for help.

Being fit for duty is more than just being on time — it’s being ready and able to work safely. Everyone deserves to work in a place where well-being is prioritized just as much as procedures. This rule saves lives by keeping workers aware, sharp, and supported.

Why These Rules Matter

The Life Saving Rules aren’t just best practices—they are built on real-world data, real incidents, and real lives lost. 

Each rule directly addresses the top causes of fatal injuries in the oil and gas industry, such as falls, vehicle collisions, uncontrolled energy release, and exposure to toxic gases. 

These are not hypothetical scenarios—they’re based on thousands of high-risk situations observed across the globe.

The International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) analyzed over 1,400 workplace fatalities and more than 1,100 high-potential incidents to identify patterns. 

What they found was sobering: most fatalities could have been prevented if a small number of critical safety behaviours had been followed. 

That’s why the Life Saving Rules were created—to target the most common deadly hazards with clear, easy-to-understand actions that every worker can follow.

A powerful example of what can go wrong when these rules aren’t followed is the Texas City Refinery explosion in 2005. 

Fifteen people died, and more than 170 were injured when a blowdown drum overflowed and ignited. Investigators found that basic safety procedures were ignored, permits were not followed properly, and equipment that should have been isolated was not. 

It’s a tragic reminder that even large, well-known facilities can suffer devastating consequences when safety rules are treated as optional.

Closer to home, Canadian oil and gas facilities have seen their own share of preventable incidents. 

Reports from WorkSafeBC and provincial safety boards frequently cite failures in fall protection, isolation verification, and inadequate hazard communication as recurring causes of serious injuries and deaths.

These rules matter because they’re proven to save lives. They are designed to be simple enough for any worker to understand, enforceable by supervisors, and visible across the entire site. 

They also support a speak-up culture, where workers are encouraged to stop unsafe work without fear.

At the end of the day, the Life Saving Rules are not just a safety program—they are a lifeline. When followed consistently, they turn high-risk environments into safer workplaces where every worker has a better chance of getting home safely.

Implementation Best Practices

Having the Life Saving Rules (LSRs) in place is only the first step. The real challenge lies in putting them into action consistently across the site. 

To be effective, these rules must be incorporated into every part of the refinery’s culture—from the way leaders make decisions to how frontline workers handle daily tasks.

Successful implementation requires visible leadership, clear communication, continuous training, and reliable tracking systems. 

It’s not just about telling people to follow the rules—it's about giving them the tools, support, and accountability to make it possible. Below are five best practices that help bring Life Saving Rules to life on any oil and gas site.

Leadership Engagement: Supervisors Model LSR Compliance

Leadership sets the tone for safety culture. If supervisors and managers don’t follow the Life Saving Rules themselves, no one else will take them seriously.

Key Actions

1. Lead by example: Always wear proper PPE, follow lockout/tagout, and respect permit systems.
2. Stop unsafe work when rules are not followed—even if it causes delays.
3. Regularly talk about LSRs in team briefings, linking them to real tasks and incidents.
4. Encourage open reporting by thanking workers who speak up or ask questions.
5. When leaders treat safety as a priority, it signals that rules are not optional—they’re expected.

Awareness: Use SWC Checklists, Icon Posters, Pocket Cards

Raising awareness is critical to keeping Life Saving Rules top of mind—especially in fast-paced, high-risk environments.

Tools That Work

1. Safe Work Checklists (SWC) tied to each rule, used before starting jobs.
2. Posters with icons and brief descriptions in control rooms, workshops, and lunchrooms.
3. Wallet-sized pocket cards with all 10 rules for quick reference in the field.
4. Use digital signage at entry points or locker rooms to reinforce daily reminders.
5. Visual cues help reinforce behaviours and reduce forgetfulness, especially for newer or multilingual workers.

Training: Microlearning, Toolbox Talks, Multilingual Delivery

Training shouldn’t be a one-time event. Continuous education keeps workers engaged and ensures the Life Saving Rules are fully understood.

Effective Training Methods

1. Microlearning: 5–10 minute modules focused on one rule at a time, ideal for mobile devices.
2. Toolbox talks: Daily or weekly briefings that discuss one rule, paired with recent incidents.
3. Scenario-based learning: Use real case studies from your site or industry to make it relatable.
4. Provide multilingual materials to accommodate non-English-speaking workers, especially in multicultural teams.
5. Ongoing, bite-sized training builds stronger retention and supports safer daily decisions.

Canada Safety Training Centre offers 10 oil and gas safety training courses that can help the employees identify the risks and prevent accidents in the workplace. 

Monitoring: KPI Tracking, Incident Reporting, and Audits

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Tracking how well Life Saving Rules are followed is key to maintaining accountability and identifying problem areas.

Key Monitoring Strategies

1. Track compliance KPIs: e.g., % of permits issued correctly, # of isolation verifications per month.
2. Log and review all near-miss reports related to any Life Saving Rule violation.
3. Use digital audit tools to assess compliance during routine safety inspections.
4. Create scorecards for departments or contractors and share results during leadership meetings.

Monitoring helps identify patterns before they lead to incidents, supporting a proactive safety approach.

Contractor Alignment: Ensure All Personnel Follow Consistent Rules

Refineries often rely heavily on third-party contractors, especially during shutdowns or large projects. If they don’t follow the same Life Saving Rules, the entire site is at risk.

How to Align Contractors

1. Include LSR compliance in contract agreements and onboarding.
2. Require all contractors to complete training on Life Saving Rules before starting work.
3. Assign site supervisors or safety reps to monitor contractor activities.
4. Conduct joint audits and safety reviews with contractor companies to promote shared accountability.

Making sure everyone plays by the same rules, regardless of company badge, ensures site-wide safety consistency.

Implementing the Life Saving Rules takes time, repetition, and commitment at every level. But when done right, these best practices build a safety culture that saves lives every single day.

Conclusion

The Life Saving Rules are not just guidelines—they are the final line of defence between a near miss and a fatality. 

Each rule is designed to prevent the most common and deadly incidents in oil and gas refineries, based on global evidence and lessons from real tragedies. When applied properly, they become a shared commitment to protecting lives on site.

To get started, refineries should take immediate steps: conduct a gap analysis to see where rules are missing or misunderstood, launch targeted training sessions for all staff, and run leadership-led campaigns to reinforce expectations from the top down. 

These actions send a clear message—safety isn’t optional, it’s a priority.

But implementation is only the beginning. To truly embed these rules into daily work, companies must measure what matters. 

That means tracking compliance monthly, investigating each rule violation thoroughly, and celebrating wins—like zero-incident months or successful interventions. 

Sharing these stories across the company can reinforce the value of speaking up and following the rules, even under pressure.

At the end of the day, the Life Saving Rules help create a workplace where everyone looks out for one another—and where going home safely isn’t just hoped for, but built into how the job gets done.