NOPSEMA Slaps Shell with a Damning Safety Notice for Prelude FLNG

Because Who Needs Worker Safety When There’s Money to Be Made?

Shell Australia has been officially called out (again) for its staggering incompetence and complete disregard for worker safety after an inspection of its disaster-prone Prelude FLNG facility revealed that workers were being exposed to hazardous, cancer-causing gases.

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) has issued Improvement Notice No. 1967, making it painfully clear that Shell has been ignoring serious health risks for years and will likely continue to do so unless forced to take action.

What Did NOPSEMA Find?

Let’s break down the most alarming findings from the regulator’s scathing report:

• Shell Has Known About This for Years

Workers have been reporting strong odours and health symptoms for an extended period, yet Shell has done nothing to fix the issue. Employees have experienced lung and eye irritation, which are classic symptoms of hydrogen sulphide and benzene exposure—but rather than act, Shell management has ignored complaints and let the risks persist.

• Toxic Gas Leaking Into Work Areas

The inspection revealed that hazardous gases, including benzene and hydrogen sulphide, are not being safely ventedas required by Shell’s own Safety Case. Instead, these toxic fumes are building up in the process area, exposing workers to dangerous chemicals.

• Exposure Likely Higher Than Reported

Shell claims that its monitoring has shown no excessive exposures—except their monitoring conveniently ignored the most dangerous conditions. The report highlights that Shell’s historical monitoring never accounted for “high-risk” conditions, such as low wind velocity, when toxic gases don’t disperse properly and instead accumulate around the facility.

• Shell’s Safety Systems Were Broken for Years

The online gas monitoring system near the living quarters hadn’t been functioning properly before October 2024, meaning workers were potentially exposed to benzene and hydrogen sulphide without any real-time monitoring. When Shell finally decided to test benzene levels in September 2024 (because the workforce kept complaining), they found levels high enough to exceed occupational safety limits.

• Shell’s “Safety Plan” Relies on Workers Smelling the Gas

Yes, you read that right. Shell’s approach to detecting benzene—a known carcinogen—was to rely on workers’ nosesrather than implementing effective controls. Because apparently, in Shell’s world, olfactory senses are more reliable than advanced gas detection technology.

• Long-Term Health Risks: Cancer, Respiratory Issues, and More

Benzene is a well-documented carcinogen. The notice explicitly warns that workers exposed to these gases face the risk of serious and irreversible health effects, including cancer. But hey, why worry about a little cancer when Shell’s biggest investors—like BlackRock and Vanguard—are happily cashing in on its billion-dollar profits?

NOPSEMA’s Verdict: Shell Can’t Be Trusted to Fix This on Its Own

NOPSEMA has rightly concluded that Shell is likely to continue breaking the law unless forced to act. The company has failed to demonstrate that it has properly assessed the risks, implemented necessary controls, or mitigated exposure.

What Shell Has Been Ordered to Do (Because They Clearly Won’t Do It Voluntarily)

NOPSEMA has given Shell 180 days to fix this mess (with some urgent steps due in 45 days). The orders include:

1. Actually Assess the Risks – Shell must finally evaluate all sources of toxic gas exposure, including how wind conditions affect dispersion.

2. Develop a Real Safety System – Shell has to implement proper gas detection, monitoring, and exposure prevention(rather than just relying on workers to notice the smell before passing out).

3. Prove That Their Fixes Work – Shell must test the effectiveness of whatever half-hearted solution they come up with to ensure workers aren’t still breathing in toxic fumes.

4. Put Emergency Measures in Place Now – Within 45 days, Shell must implement interim controls to prevent further exposure to hazardous gases.

Shell’s Safety Record: A Global Catastrophe

Shell’s dangerous disregard for worker safety isn’t new. The company has a horrific record of cutting corners, putting profits over people, and ignoring whistleblowers. Just look at its shocking safety failures in the North Sea, where lifeboats were found to be unseaworthy and workers were forced to operate under the dangerous “TFA” (Touch F* All) policy**.

Whistleblowers like Bill Campbell (sadly now deceased) and Irina Woodhead have been sounding the alarm on Shell’s reckless operations for years—but instead of fixing the problems, Shell has spent more time trying to silence them than actually improving safety.

Shell’s Next Move? Deny, Delay, Distract

Let’s be real—Shell will do what it always does:

• Pretend it takes safety seriously while doing the absolute minimum.

• Drag its feet on implementing real changes until it is legally forced to act.

• Blame “unforeseen challenges” when workers continue to report health issues.

The Bottom Line

Shell’s complete disregard for worker safety at the Prelude FLNG facility is just another chapter in its long history of corporate negligence. This isn’t an accident—it’s a business model. And while Shell’s executives and shareholders continue raking in billions, it’s the workers who are left to suffer the consequences.

So here’s the question: How many more people have to get sick—or die—before Shell is finally held accountable?

BlackRock and Vanguard: Profiting from Shell’s Toxic Legacy

While workers on Prelude FLNG risk lung damage, cancer, and other long-term health effects, BlackRock and Vanguard continue to rake in billions from their investments in Shell. These two financial giants, among Shell’s biggest shareholders, love to talk about “ESG” and corporate responsibility, but when it comes to Shell’s toxic operations, worker endangerment, and environmental destruction, they remain silent beneficiaries of the carnage. As long as the dividends keep flowing, it seems a few poisoned workers are just collateral damage in the pursuit of profit.

ORIGINAL REPORT 

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