Duty holders consultation with safety representatives in safety cases

SPC/Enforcement/134

OG status:

Fully open

Issue date:

21.05.07

Review date:

31.05.10

Author Unit/Section:

OSD 5.1

Target audience:

All OSD Inspectors Bands 2 and 3

Status:

For Action by IMT Inspectors

Purpose

To remind Inspectors that the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 regulation 23(2)(c)(i) was amended by SCR05 to require consultation with safety reps on the revision, review or preparation of the safety case. SCR05 itself now requires duty holders to include a summary in their safety cases of how installation safety reps were consulted with regard to the revision, review or preparation of the safety case.

Background

This was an important change made by SCR05. Workforce involvement is an important part of HSE strategy for the offshore industry, and something that the industry and TUs are signed up to as well.

Action

The change to the 1989 Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations was immediate; inspectors should be testing compliance with this consultation requirement now.

Duty holders have until April 2009 to revise their safety cases in this respect. This is not subject to acceptance by HSE, however Inspectors can ask to see safety cases at any time to check if they are up to date.

Further Information

SCR05 paragraphs 258 and 278 refer.

OSD5.1  will be asking for feedback in 2009 , which should be sent to Derek Pratt,
OSD5.1, Redgrave Court.