Application of regulations to "normally unattended installations"
- Operations notice: 79
- Issue date: 05/05/09
Introduction
This notice is to remind operators of the application of legislation to "normally unattended installations" (NUIs) during those periods when persons are on board.
Background
Some NUIs are being attended for increasing periods of time and dutyholders need to take into account the applicable regulatory requirements, in particular the Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 (PFEER), when personnel are on board.
Application of regulations
PFEER applies equally to attended and normally unattended installations when ever there are one or more persons on board. Dutyholders must pay particular attention to the measures for fire and explosion hazard management, and emergency when a NUI is attended regardless of the length or frequency of visits.
The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 (MAR) also apply to a NUI except for regulations 6 to 13 and 15 to 18, which are disapplied when there are no persons on board the installation. However, as soon as the installation is attended, no matter how short the duration, these regulations must be complied with.
It should be noted that the term ‘normally unattended’ has no legal basis in current legislation. Dutyholders are reminded that they must fully comply with PFEER and all relevant statutory provisions whenever an installation is attended, to ensure that persons are not put at increased risk to their health and safety because measures have been less stringently applied.
References
Prevention of fire and explosion, and emergency response on offshore installations Approved Code of Practice and guidance Second edition HSE Books 1997 ISBN 0 7176 1386 0
A guide to the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995 Second edition HSE Books 2002 ISBN 0 7176 2572 9
Further information
Any queries relating to this notice should be addressed to:
Health and Safety Executive
Hazardous Installations Directorate
Offshore Division
Lord Cullen House
Fraser Place
Aberdeen
AB25 3UB
Tel: 01224 252500
Fax: 01224 252648
This guidance is issued by the Health and Safety Executive. Following the guidance is not compulsory and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice
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