Health & Safety Report 2016

HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT

2016

The HSE has therefore brought in new administrative arrangements for the statutory reporting of incidents

offshore, including those relating to offshore pipeline or pipeline works and diving operations. The aim is to

align existing and new reporting requirements and minimise bureaucracy through a single form called a

ROGI

–

Reporting of an Oil and Gas Incident

. The

ROGI

will replace several existing

Offshore Incident Report (OIR)

forms.

Oil & Gas UK was actively involved in helping the OSDR develop the

ROGI

to improve the efficiency of reporting

and ensure consistency in approach across the UKCS.

The Directive also requires Member States to establish a mechanism for effective tripartite consultation between

regulatory, industry and workforce representatives. Previously, the Offshore Industry Advisory Committee (OIAC)

fulfilled this role in the UK.

The OIAC has now been reconstituted into a strategic committee with a focus on major accident hazard prevention

and associated environmental matters as covered by the Directive. This new body is called the Offshore Major

Accident Hazards Advisory Committee (OMAHAC). The OMAHAC consists of up to 12 members, representing the

HSE, DECC, Department for Transport/Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Oil and Gas Authority, HSE Northern

Ireland, industry and trade unions.

5.2 Prevention of Fire and Explosion and Emergency Response Regulation 16

An overly prescriptive revised legal interpretation of Regulation 16 of the Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and

Emergency Response (PFEER) on Offshore Installation Regulations would have required duty holders to provide

additional tertiary escape equipment on installations. This would have had no risk reduction benefits over the

equipment already in place.

Oil & Gas UK successfully argued that the obligation for duty holders under PFEER Regulation 5 to identify, assess

and put in place different means of evacuation, escape and rescue was sufficient to secure effective emergency

response arrangements for those on an installation. Continuing to apply the original interpretation of the legislation

has not compromised the safety of those on board an installation, while saving the industry considerable cost,

time and effort.

5.3 Piper Alpha Garden Upkeep

Oil & Gas UK gave over £185,000 to the Pound for Piper Memorial Trust in summer 2015 to help pay for the

ongoing maintenance of the North Sea Memorial Garden in Aberdeen – a tribute to the 167 men who lost their

lives in the 1988 Piper Alpha disaster. The donation came from the funds raised by industry to help support the

refurbishment and upkeep of the garden at Hazlehead Park.