Chevron & ConocoPhillips Contractor Audit Guide
Major operators like Chevron and ConocoPhillips hold contractors to rigorous safety standards through programs like CHESM (Contractor Health, Environment, Safety Management), FVO (Field Verification Observations), and SSE (Short Service Employee) protocols. This guide covers the 100-point CHESM audit scale, what FVO observers look for in the field, SSE hard hat sticker requirements, LPSA card compliance, and basin-specific variations across the Permian, Bakken, and Eagle Ford. Understanding these requirements is essential for prequalification and ongoing contract eligibility.
Understanding the CHESM 100-Point Scale
Chevron's CHESM audit evaluates your safety management system across five categories. Here's how points are typically allocated:
- • Management commitment evidence
- • Safety meeting participation
- • Site visit documentation
- • Resource allocation
- • JSA/JHA program quality
- • Risk assessment processes
- • Hazard communication
- • PPE program effectiveness
- • Competency matrix maintained
- • Training records current
- • SSE program compliance
- • Certification tracking
- • Root cause analysis process
- • Corrective action tracking
- • Near-miss reporting culture
- • Lessons learned sharing
- • Safety manual quality
- • Record retention compliance
- • Audit trail completeness
- • 24-hour retrieval capability
- • 80+ = Qualified for most work
- • 60-79 = Conditional approval
- • Below 60 = Work restrictions
FVO (Field Verification Observation) Protocol
Unlike document audits, FVOs evaluate your crews in action. Here's what observers look for during unannounced field visits:
What Gets High Marks
- • Workers can explain their JSA for current task
- • PPE worn correctly and appropriate for hazards
- • Effective tailgate meeting documentation
- • Stop Work Authority understanding demonstrated
- • Clean, organized work area
- • Proper tool and equipment inspection records
Common FVO Failures
- • Generic JSAs not specific to actual work
- • Workers unaware of site-specific hazards
- • Missing or expired certifications on site
- • SSE workers without mentor present
- • Incomplete tailgate documentation
- • Housekeeping deficiencies
FVO Failures Trump ISNetworld Grades
A single poor FVO can result in work stoppage regardless of your ISNetworld grade. Field performance is the ground truth that operators use to verify your safety program actually functions.
SSE (Short Service Employee) Requirements
New workers with less than 6 months of oilfield experience require additional oversight. Here's what major operators typically require:
- Green sticker: Common indicator for SSE status, visible to all site personnel
- Orange sticker: Used by some operators for first 30 days, then transitions to green
- Date tracking: Some require start date on sticker for easy verification
Note: Verify operator-specific requirements. Colors and rules vary between Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and other operators.
- Assigned mentor with 2+ years experience
- SSE works within line-of-sight of mentor
- Daily documented mentorship interactions
- Weekly competency progression reviews
- 90-day program completion verification
Task Restrictions During SSE Period:
SSE workers typically cannot work alone, operate high-risk equipment, or perform confined space entry until cleared.
LPSA Card Requirements (ConocoPhillips)
ConocoPhillips' Life-Saving Performance Standards Assurance cards must be carried by all workers and understood on demand:
Driving Safely
Seatbelts, speed limits, no phone use
Working at Heights
100% tie-off, guardrails, inspection
Confined Space Entry
Permits, testing, rescue plans
Energy Isolation
LOTO procedures, verification
Hot Work
Permits, fire watch, atmosphere testing
Lifting Operations
Rigging, load charts, exclusion zones
Ground Disturbance
Line locate, hand dig requirements
Violation = Removal
Zero tolerance for life-saving rules
Workers must be able to explain each rule when asked. Laminated cards are recommended for field conditions.
Basin-Specific Requirements
Requirements vary by operating basin. Here's what to expect in major producing regions:
West Texas / SE New Mexico
- • Enhanced H2S protocols (sour gas)
- • High traffic safety emphasis
- • Heat stress programs required
- • Increased FVO frequency
- • Strict SSE enforcement
North Dakota / Montana
- • Cold weather PPE requirements
- • Winter driving protocols
- • Remote location emergency plans
- • Extended orientation periods
- • Wildlife encounter procedures
South Texas
- • High-pressure completions focus
- • Bilingual communication requirements
- • Heat illness prevention emphasis
- • Specific frac operations protocols
- • Community relations requirements
Always Verify Location-Specific Requirements
What satisfies requirements in one basin may not apply in another, even within the same operator. Contact your operator safety representative before mobilizing to new locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stay Audit-Ready with Digital Documentation
BasinCheck organizes your documentation by CHESM categories and generates audit-ready exports in minutes. Track SSE progress, maintain training matrices, and prove FVO compliance with timestamped digital records.