Scaling Safety: How Aware360 found a place in HWN Energy’s Safety Culture

About HWN Energy  

HWN Energy LTD. is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with operations concentrated in Central and Northern Alberta. The company is actively expanding through the development of its current asset base and the potential acquisition of additional properties in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin.

The HWN team has extensive experience, having evaluated and completed hundreds of oil and gas transactions across multiple basins throughout their careers, both as operators and investors.

The challenge  

Like any oil and gas company, HWN Energy’s exposure to inherent safety and operational challenges can lead to health and safety incidents, asset downtime, and immeasurable costs to their people, brand, and bottom line. With much of their work in remote areas, the risk factors invoked by reduced or erased connectivity and limited access to help were especially noticeable.    

Driving hazards led to 38% of all worker fatalities in 2022. With employees at HWN driving hundreds of kilometers a day to get to, from, and between sites, it’s a matter of “when?”, not “if” - other drivers, vehicle failures, fallen logging trucks, and closed roads due to landslides are all within the realm of possibility. Compounded by their remote operations in central Alberta, synonymous with beaten gravel and forestry roads, the need for protection was obvious.

The risks to their workers, driving or on-site, are further emphasized by the unpredictable nature of weather and wildlife. Where temperatures can range from -40° to +40°C (104°F) in any given year, it’s imperative that anyone working outside or far from physical support be equipped with tools to mitigate the risks caused or heightened by extreme weather (hypothermia, heat stress, icy roads, wildfires, injury from hazardous materials and machinery, etc.). 

Additionally, bears and other animals are a real threat, with Jordan Cameron, HSE Coordinator, referencing a recent bear attack in Alberta that occurred right in the middle of one of their oilfields, about 4 miles from where their workers were located.

HWN Energy’s rapid growth, driven by acquisitions, transformed the company from managing a single field to operating across central Alberta, essentially overnight. This expansion significantly increased the workforce from 22 to over 100 employees, creating the challenge of scaling systems to meet the needs of a larger and more dispersed operation. Before finding Aware360, HWN was using a hodgepodge of solutions that lacked size, scalability, and basic features such as intuitive graphics. As the company grew, the need for standardized safety practices across all operations became critical to ensure consistent health and safety management.

Jordan summarized by saying: 

Why Aware360  

As the project lead, Jordan explored many solutions and asked around for suggestions. That’s when a foreman who had recently made a professional transition from another Aware360 client made the recommendation. Jordan made a comprehensive comparison between the finalists, ultimately landing on Aware360’s SafetyAware solution. 

Remote Connectivity

HWN Energy utilizes Bivy Sticks with the SafetyAware app to transform their smartphones into satellite devices in their regions of operations with scarce cellular service. With advanced features like SOS, two-way communication, and check-ins, the Bivy Stick keeps workers within reach even in the most isolated environments. No matter what risk they’re facing or what type of coverage they have, those who need help can get it using the app, device, or both. 

Company-Wide Communication

Another significant feature is the platform’s broadcast messaging capability. HWN can now send near-instant messages to all employees, a critical advantage in emergencies or when sharing vital safety information. This rapid communication ensures that no worker, whether in a remote field or at the main office, is left out of the loop when time-sensitive information needs to be disseminated.

While they fortunately have not had to use the feature yet, HWN Energy is ready to act in events of wildfires or other disasters on or near their worksites. 

Jordan added that he was impressed and his staff were delighted with the In-Motion timer which eliminates the need for manual and distracted check-ins while workers are driving, as well as Aware360’s responsiveness and flexibility through their consideration and onboarding process.  

Unified Approach

One of the main drivers behind HWN’s decision to adopt Aware360 was its ability to provide a unified safety management system across all company operations. With legacy systems from various acquisitions in place, it became critical to have a flexible yet consistent approach to safety. Aware360's SafetyAware eliminated the need for multiple systems, while providing seamless and accessible functionality for their variety of workers.  

Daily Monitoring and Compliance

SafetyAware has become an essential tool in HWN’s daily safety management. Jordan uses the system for daily monitoring and conducts regular internal audits to ensure all safety protocols are followed, particularly in high-risk areas. SafetyAware also plays a crucial role in meeting OH&S (Occupational Health & Safety) mandates by providing a reliable working-alone system in accordance with Alberta OHS code part 28.

An Evolving Safety Culture

Beyond compliance and logistics, the introduction of SafetyAware has had a profound impact on HWN’s safety culture. The system’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for employees to engage with, ensuring widespread adoption across the company. 

By simplifying safety processes and facilitating better communication, SafetyAware has fostered a more safety-conscious environment. Employees are more aware of safety protocols, and the enhanced ability to monitor adherence to these protocols has strengthened the overall safety culture at HWN, especially as they work towards unification of their legacy and acquired operations.

The Future of Safety at HWN Energy  

HWN Energy has been highly satisfied with the implementation and performance of SafetyAware. The smooth transition to the system and its ease of use have been well-received by HWN’s staff, who feel safer before, during, and after completion of their critical duties. Aware360’s proactive support has also been a critical factor in the system’s success, with ongoing follow-ups, and responsiveness to feedback, including the integration of Power BI for data insights to help Jordan communicate the benefits to stakeholders.

Looking ahead, HWN Energy plans to further integrate Aware360’s tools as the company continues to grow. Technology, legislation, and therefore the general safety landscape is ever-changing, but the HWN team can rest assured that Aware360 shares their goal of getting people home safe at the end of every day and will be by their side through anything. The goal is to continue enhancing safety management systems to meet the evolving needs of a larger workforce and more complex operations, while maintaining the high safety standards that are now embedded in HWN’s culture.

Jordan made it clear: