How OiLSERV has built a safer driving culture with RoSPA

Seeking to strengthen road safety in challenging operational environments, OiLSERV undertook the RoSPA Level 3 International Award for Driver Trainers to develop its in-house driver trainers, helping embed a long-term culture of safe driving.

OiLSERV is a leading oilfield services company operating across the Middle East and North Africa region. Driving is a core activity for staff, who frequently undertake long-distance driving across challenging desert terrain and remote areas to reach well sites and operational bases in high-risk environments.

The challenge

OiLSERV’s North Africa QHSE Manager, Mohamed Nadjib Debabi, says: “Before taking the RoSPA training, the main challenges we faced were related to effectively delivering defensive driving sessions. We wanted to move away from a purely instructional approach and adopt a coaching-based strategy that actively engages drivers, focusing more on driver psychology and how to encourage drivers to develop a safer mindset and make better decisions on the road.

“We also wanted to bridge the gap between teaching defensive driving as a theoretical concept and helping drivers apply those principles in real-life driving situations."

The solution

So far, OiLSERV have primarily engaged with RoSPA for specialised driver training for staff and, most significantly, the train-the-trainer RoSPA Level 3 International Award for Driver Trainers qualification, delivered in 2025.

Mohamed Nadjib Debabi says: “A train‑the‑trainer qualification, rather than standard driver training, was the right solution for us because our organisation’s vision is to build a long-term safe driving culture, not just to improve the driver's performance.

“The qualification helped us to provide immediate coaching and expertise that combine daily operations with defensive driving theory. It gave us the ability to teach hazard perception and dynamic risk assessment - not only road rules. 

“We chose RoSPA because it is a recognised awarding body and it provides a training package which has more psychological depth than is typically offered by other driver training providers. RoSPA focuses more on the human factors which are the root causes of road accidents in our industry.”

The results

Mohamed Nadjib Debabi says: “The course was intensive, highly professional and practical. It didn't just focus on driving skills but also on the psychology of teaching safety, which was crucial for our team.

"Since completing the qualification, we have delivered the company's defensive driving training with a more robust and engaging approach, leading to measurable improvements in driver competence and safer driving behaviours.

“I would absolutely recommend studying with RoSPA because it provides more than just training; it provides a framework for organisational change. For any company operating in high-risk sectors, their expertise is invaluable for protecting both personnel and assets.”