Health & Safety Report 2014

HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT 2014

TheHSE Key Programme 4 (KP4) focused three years of regulatory inspection effort on the industry’smanagement of ageing and life extension (ALE). This programme drew to a close in December 2013 with the final report published in May 2014. The report states that the industry has responded well to KP4 and has many effective strategies and practices in place to ensure the safe, long-term operation of offshore installations. Oil & Gas UK will continue to cooperate with the HSE and to implement a range of improvement recommendations set out in the report. Oil & Gas UK will also publish further good practice ALE guidance. From a health and safety performance perspective, 2013 tells a mixed story. The national statistics published by the HSE demonstrate that the offshore oil and gas industry continues to perform better than many less hazardous industrial sectors, and has achieved 35 per cent better performance than the ‘all industries’ average. However, within this overall positive picture, safety trends within the industry have fluctuated. Key metrics of reportable injuries and dangerous occurrences have shown relatively minor deterioration in 2013 compared to 2012. Meanwhile, in April 2013, the industry confirmed that it had achieved a 49 per cent reduction in hydrocarbon releases, narrowly missing a target reduction of 50 per cent over a three-year period. The industry then set itself a new target of a further 50 per cent reduction in the next three years. Regrettably, however, hydrocarbon release performance for the remainder of 2013 was less encouraging, with an increase in the total number of releases recorded; although, this masks a decrease in the number of major and significant releases recorded in the same period. Nevertheless, both the regulator and industry are now refocusing attention and effort on hydrocarbon release prevention strategies and programmes. All of these matters are expanded upon within this report and as always we hope that you find the publication interesting and informative. Any queries on content or feedback should be directed initially to Robert Paterson, Oil & Gas UK’s health, safety and employment issues director, on rpaterson@oilandgasuk.co.uk.

Robert Paterson Health, Safety and Employment Issues Director, Oil & Gas UK

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