With more than 2,000 members, the ASSE Oil & Gas Practice Specialty (OGPS) is the third largest practice specialty within ASSE. It provides networking, service and leadership opportunities, technical and educational resources, publication opportunities and access to leadership guidance and advice to members ranging from senior safety managers to site safety specialists to consultants and students.
BIC Magazine recently visited with Oil & Gas Practice Specialty Administrator Tracey Riepenhoff to learn more about the organization’s role and benefits.
BIC: What led to the OGPS’ creation?
Riepenhoff: The OGPS began as a branch of the Transportation Practice Specialty in 1996, and we became our own practice specialty in 2008. It has consistently grown since then, illustrating members are finding value in being involved with other safety professionals in their industry. I believe the mix of membership is reflective of the evolution of the industry. OGPS addresses safety topics related to oil and gas drilling, gathering, fracking, production, operations, processing, refining, equipment, storage, transportation and distribution. Today’s members include the more traditional areas of oil and gas, as well as newer areas such as hydraulic fracking in the U.S. and international offshore explorations.
BIC: How does the OGPS benefit its members?
Riepenhoff: The practice specialty benefits members in a variety of ways, but the overall value is current, consistent and compelling information to protect their workers. OGPS publishes a periodic electronic newsletter, “Well Informed,” that provides valuable information relevant to the industry. In addition, OGPS sponsors sessions for ASSE’s annual Professional Development Conference (PDC), and holds networking and social events at the conference. Member benefits include:
- Industry-focused networking via LinkedIn, conference calls and annual face-to-face meetings.
- Periodic digital communications and access to publication archives.
- Access to 150-plus interviews with top industry professionals.
- Publication opportunities (members can earn Continuance of Certification points for publication).
- Advisory committee guidance and advice.
- Volunteer and leadership opportunities.
- Discounts on group-sponsored webinars.
- Practice specialty sponsorship on conference speaking proposals.
- Mentoring services.
BIC: What are your goals as specialty administrator?
Riepenhoff: I want to provide our members with the benefits that are important to them and provide meaningful value to them in their roles. Also, I want to build up the advisory team to provide strong leadership that sustains the organization and serves the membership. I am bolstered by the success we’ve seen in terms of growing membership, but we do not want to rest on our laurels. We want more involvement and leadership from the members through more engagement in all the opportunities and benefits the OGPS provides.
BIC: How can industry get involved?
Riepenhoff: Members of ASSE can get involved by becoming a member of the OGPS for only $20. We continue to look for ways to engage the membership in sharing their knowledge with the industry as a whole. Examples include presenting industry-specific webinars, contributing to the Body of Knowledge, providing informational articles in “Well Informed” and leading PDC sessions the OGPS can sponsor.
Anyone who is involved in improving and maintaining safety for workers in the oil and gas industry can benefit from membership in the OGPS.
For more information, visit www.asse.org/practicespecialties/oilgas or call (847) 699-2929.
