Health at Risk: How Organizational Culture Impacts the Health of Oil and Gas Workers in Brazil.

Abstract: The importance of the oil and gas industry in the global context is widely recognized, both for fuel production and for other derivatives. In Brazil, the sector has shown strong potential for expansion, driven by the discovery of new, yet-to-be-explored reservoirs. With the market heating up, the number of offshore units has grown, and forecasts indicate even greater expansion ahead. The remote and hostile environment of offshore installations presents unique characteristics compared to other industries. The intense interaction among workers, the high level of control and procedural requirements, and the confined living and working conditions in high-risk units are elements that set this context apart.This article examines, through case studies, the factors that lead workers to avoid using onboard health services, such as infirmaries, even when experiencing symptoms of discomfort or minor accidents. This study was developed within the framework of the Human and Organizational Factors of Industrial Safety project, which aims to develop a quantitative and qualitative diagnostic methodology, grounded in Ergonomics and Human Factors, to support positive changes and foster the maturation of Safety Culture in the oil and gas industry in Brazil. Initiated in 2020 and scheduled to conclude in 2025, the project addresses topics such as blame culture (related to punishment systems and deviation management), safety bureaucracy (performance indicators), and experience feedback (lessons learned from incidents). These factors reveal a concerning relationship with the utilization of healthcare resources in offshore units.According to the workers themselves, seeking care at the infirmary entails risks associated with several factors: negative exposure, conflicts with the work team, bureaucratic procedures, and the possibility of disembarkation or even dismissal. The fear of exposure stems from an organizational culture that often, even indirectly, blames workers who have been injured. This blame culture discourages workers from seeking medical help due to fear of judgment and stigmatization. The fear of conflicts with the work team also discourages the use of infirmaries, as their absence can result in an increased workload for other team members. This is particularly problematic if their condition is not perceived as severe by everyone. The fear of punishment persists despite the significant changes the sector has undergone in recent years. Many believe that accidents attributed to errors can still lead to severe consequences, such as warnings, transfers to other units, dismissals, or even "exclusion," which refers to being blacklisted by companies in the sector.These fears foster a culture of self-medication and neglect of health, where workers exchange medications among themselves and only seek medical care in critical situations that have worsened or are difficult to hide. Mental health issues are even more frequently ignored or silenced due to the stigma associated with these conditions. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to transform the organizational culture, creating an environment that encourages seeking medical care without fear or negative consequences.

Keywords: Ergonomics, Human Factors, Safety, Organizational Silence, Worker Health

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1006572

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