Mountaineering in Oman

Exploration Logistics mountaineering teams were called in to support seismic survey operations in Oman. The surveys took place in the Fahud with a large portion of the investigations occurring in the jebel. With previous experience of working in Oman, Exploration Logistics was specifically sought out by the client for its expertise in providing steep terrain support to geophysical crews. Mountaineering teams were contracted to undertake reconnaissance, project risk assessment, supervision of labour teams and to survey and quality control the planned seismic lines.

Jebel areas consist of steep slopes with loose unconsolidated rock and vertical cliffs ranging from 2m-40m in height. The Fahud jebel measures approximately 18km long and 5km wide at its widest point and reaches a maximum elevation above the main wadi floor of 150m. In these circumstances personnel were at serious risk of injury or death by falls or rock strikes.

Climatic conditions were also a major concern with extreme heat, leading to the threat of heat-related illness and fatigue-related incidents. Temperatures in this region range from 15° C in winter to +50° C in summer. Protection from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight was essential and water supply requirements were 3-8 litres per person per day depending on duties and length of workday.

The initial risk assessment highlighted the following threats facing personnel including:

- Serious injury or fatality caused by fall over vertical cliff
- Serious injury or fatality caused by being struck by falling rock
- Serious injury or fatality caused by road accident in steep terrain
- Serious illness or fatality caused by heat or dehydration
- Serious or minor injuries caused by slips, trips and falls on steep terrain
- Serious or minor illness caused by heat exhaustion

To control these risks, mountaineering personnel were used to supervise all survey and recording teams operating in the jebel area. They determined no-go areas for the seismic crews and undertook all operational duties in hazardous areas deemed unsafe for non-professional mountaineers and local labour.

Designated zones were established to distinguish between hazard areas:

Green Zones - flat and low angle areas where local crews could work unsupervised by Exploration Logistics mountaineering personnel.
Yellow Zones - areas of steep angle including wadi slopes where workers could proceed with duties under the supervision of Exploration Logistics personnel.
Red Zones - extremely steep and hazardous areas where only Exploration Logistics personnel were permitted.

The client's workforce received slope safety training from Exploration Logistics personnel. In addition, fitness assessments were undertaken to determine which personnel were fit enough to move across steep terrain while carrying survey equipment and other loads.

Mountain rescue is paramount with a project of this size, involving a large number of personnel working over a large area of jebel. Rapid, efficient and effective primary response to any accident is a crucial consideration irrespective of the location of the incident.

Exploration Logistics' contingency plans for any mountain rescue are critical to the safety of operations. Numerous training exercises and drills allow a high degree of readiness to be maintained throughout the survey and improved access routes allow rapid response time.

In this case, a trained first aider was required to reach a casualty and provide first aid within five minutes and a paramedic should be within 30 minutes of the injured party. In addition, professional care with a clinic and medical doctor was within a two-hour commute.

Exploration Logistics' personnel were active in training the survey crews to work on steep unconsolidated ground and gave steep terrain awareness training. They were shown PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements and taught how to identify slope hazards and how to move on steep ground (slope management).

The mountaineers' primary role was to ensure the safety of the crews and themselves.