PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK IN OIL OPERATIONS: A CASE STUDY IN THE OPERATIONAL AREA OF ANDES DRILLING S.A.
Keywords:
Psychosocial risks, FPSICO method, Workload, Working time, Oil industryAbstract
DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/yc.v10i19.1022
Abstract
In the hydrocarbon industry, operational demands and work organization are key determinants of mental health and workplace well-being. Personnel at oil well workover companies in Ecuador face isolation and grueling work schedules. The objective of this study was to analyze and evaluate exposure levels to psychosocial risk factors among operational staff at the company Andes. An evaluation of psychosocial risk factors among Ministry of the Environment officials using the FPSICO method revealed that 47.5% of the population faced very high risk regarding workload. This finding aligns significantly with the results of the present study at Andes Drilling S.A., where workload also emerged as the most critical dimension (60% at very high risk), reinforcing the evidence that pressure to meet objectives and task intensity are stress-triggering factors across various work contexts. This research employed a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive scope and a non-experimental field design. The study population consisted of eight operational workers from a workover rig. The standardized FPSICO questionnaire (89 items) was administered, and the data were processed using specialized FPSICO 3.1 software to determine the percentage distribution across four risk levels. In the specific case of Andes Drilling S.A., the combination of 12-hour shifts, a 14x7 rotation schedule, and continuous stays in isolated camps explains why workload and working time constitute the primary sources of psychosocial risk. Unlike administrative or service environments, oil rig operations demand constant attention and physical effort within a restricted socio-spatial context, thereby limiting workers' opportunities for recovery and mental detachment from work. The assessment revealed that, although 67% of the evaluated dimensions showed satisfactory conditions, critical risk levels were heavily concentrated in two factors: Workload (WL), which was the most significant issue, placing 60% of workers at very high risk, 10% at high risk, and 10% at moderate risk—reflecting high physical demands, the need for constant concentration, and accumulated fatigue; and Work Time (WT), with 50% of workers at very high risk and 20% at high risk, a result of 12-hour shifts under a 14x7 rotation schedule in remote camps, which limited opportunities to disconnect and obtain restorative rest. In contrast, dimensions such as Relationships and Social Support (70%) and Variety and Content of Work (70%) showed predominantly favorable conditions.
Keywords: Psychosocial risks, FPSICO method, Workload, Working time, Oil industry.
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