New guidance for Offshore Safety Regulation

HSE Press Release E158:02 - 1 August 2002

Three safety bodies have got together to produce a new leaflet for offshore workers to explain the roles of the different organisations which look after health and safety.

'Regulating health and safety in the UK offshore oil and gas fields - Who does what?' has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) of the Department for Transport.

The leaflet is aimed at the offshore and marine support workforces and explains the roles of HSE, MCA and MAIB in regulating health and safety in the UK offshore oil and gas fields. It directs readers to the correct contact points for further information and guidance. The leaflet also explains how HSE and MCA work together to improve standards of health and safety offshore.

Taf Powell, Head of HSE's Offshore Division, said:

"The offshore industry is a complex and potentially dangerous work environment. The marine interface has a number of hazards. HSE, MCA and MAIB want to ensure the highest standards of protection for everyone who works offshore. I am certain this guidance will help the offshore workforce and their safety representatives understand how the different enforcing authorities work together to achieve this objective."

Alan Cubbin Head of MCA's Quality and Standards Directorate said:

"MCA and HSE have a common goal of promoting improvements to make the offshore industry a safe place to work, and one in which there are no risks to health. We are pleased to have worked with HSE to produce this leaflet, which sets out how HSE, MCA and MAIB cooperate effectively to assist each other to carry out our responsibilities and functions."

The guidance will be available on the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/offindex.htm

Notes to editors

1. This leaflet was produced as a result of an evaluation of the offshore legislative regime. The evaluation, which was carried out by the Aberdeen University Petroleum and Economic Consultants recommended the preparation of guidance on the interface between HSE and the marine regulatory authorities. The Health and Safety Commission endorsed the evaluation recommendations.

Helicopter safety is the subject of a separate leaflet, 'How offshore helicopter travel is regulated' IND(G)219L available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/offindex.htm It outlines the regulatory responsibilities for helicopter safety, the interfaces between HSE and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the role of the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) of the Department for Transport.

2. Copies of Regulating health and safety in the UK offshore oil and gas fields - Who does what?' IND(G)361 and other HSE priced publications and free leaflets can be ordered online at: http://books.hse.gov.uk

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