– We breathe in pure poison. Hans Marwoll from Bømlo describes episodes of gas leaks from the time on platforms. For 42 years he worked in the oil industry. Today he is 68 years old and terminally ill with bone marrow cancer. Haukeland Hospital has determined that the cancer comes from the oil job. – I will die from the work I have done so that the country has gained the prosperity it has. Commission recommends compensation Around 46,000 people worked offshore in the period 1966 to 1992, according to calculations made by Oslo Economics. For over 20 years, chemical injuries among former oil workers have been on the political agenda. From before, the North Sea divers have received compensation for the injuries they sustained at the start of the oil adventure. A commission is now recommending a separate compensation scheme also for those who worked over water. They believe that oil workers in the pioneer era were exposed to chemicals that could lead to serious, lasting health damage. Several former oil workers have been interviewed by the commission. They tell of a work characterized by a focus on keeping operations running and with the least possible downtime. There was little protective equipment available, and what was found was of poor quality. The cancer association believes the report from the commission gives hope to a neglected group. – Now it is important that the Storting adopts this compensation scheme as quickly as possible. This is a person who has already waited a long time and who has been disappointed before, says general secretary Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross. Secretary General Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross of the Cancer Association believes the professional group deserves compensation for a ruined health. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB Compensation for the oil pioneers? Yes. The commission believes that there are grounds for recommending a compensation scheme for some occupational groups in the oil industry for a limited period of time. They believe that oil workers in the pioneer era were exposed to chemicals that could lead to serious, lasting health damage. Such as: hydrocarbons, drilling mud, benzene. But that compensation should only be given to people who have been exposed to a special situation and exposure. Permanent health damage should be a criterion for being covered by the scheme. A separate compensation scheme for the oil pioneers cannot be justified by the fact that the group has contributed to the state’s oil revenues. Such was one of the arguments for the North Sea divers. Source: The report Oljepionerane – a compensation scheme. By commission, appointed September 2021 Will have the same as the North Sea divers A survey of 700 former oil workers carried out in 2007 showed that more than half had become disabled, 126 had developed cancer, and 136 had died. The cancer registry is now in the process of a larger survey. Nevertheless, it has been difficult to demonstrate a connection between the injuries and the work on the oil platforms. Many of those who have tried have not received occupational injury compensation. – At the latest today, one of them was refused. He died last year, says Øystein Haugland. He himself worked for 31 years in the North Sea, and has since helped at least 15 former colleagues to get compensation after occupational injuries. Now he has shared his experiences with the commission. – The conclusion is an important step in the right direction. Both he and Hans Marwoll are nevertheless unsure of what the compensation will entail. Alternative proposals and models for designing the scheme have been prepared. – If I get the same as the North Sea divers, I think everyone will be satisfied, and that I will feel that I am valued for the work I have done. They cannot go any lower. It will be a laughing stock, Marwoll believes. Hans Marwoll believes that the oil workers must get the same as the North Sea divers. – – They cannot go any lower. It will be a laughing stock, he thinks. Photo: Paul S. Amundsen / Kreftforeningen Going to a hearing – may be too late The report to the commission was presented to the Minister for Employment and Inclusion Marte Mjøs Persen (Ap) on Thursday. The report will now go out for consultation. At the same time, Hans Marwoll is sitting at Bømlo and waiting. He has no idea if he managed to get compensation before he dies. – It is very urgent. Those of us who are ill do not know how much time we have left. He points out that many people have progressed further than him in the course of the illness. – You want to know about it while you are alive. If I’m dead when I get the compensation, I won’t get anyone to enjoy it. Then I don’t know if the work I did has been appreciated. – I thank the commission for its work and will now familiarize myself thoroughly with the knowledge base and assessments, says Minister for Employment and Inclusion Marte Mjøs Persen (Ap). Photo: Annika Byrde / NTB
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Will give compensation to sick oil pioneers – news Vestland
