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Our Vision Health and safety risks in the Australian offshore petroleum industry are properly controlled.
This series of messages is aimed at keeping you informed of the operations of NOPSA. Please let us know if you would like to be added to the distribution list
INDUSTRY MATTERS: NOPSA intend reviewing accommodation standards and will discuss with Operators the Duty of Care that relates to welfare of the workforce.
Recently, NOPSA were unable to give an assessment decision on a proponents submission due to the short time frame in which the documentation was submitted, and the parties’ desire to commence operations as soon as possible. Operators project planning needs to take into account the timelines NOPSA has to work within.
A recent safety alert from a helicopter operator indicates that a member of the offshore workforce may have deliberately cut the neck seal of an immersion suit. This would have made the suit ineffective for its purpose of protecting against cold waters. Deliberately interfering with equipment provided for safety purposes is a serious issue.
STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS: CEO & Melbourne Office Team Leader recently met with Minister Theo Theophanous in Melbourne, and CEO, NOPSA Board Chairman and Corporate Manager met with Minister Ian Macfarlane in Canberra. Ministers were updated on NOPSA’s business processes, and reviewed the safety performance of the industry for the year. The first audited report on cost-effectiveness, and the mirror legislation were also discussed. Both Ministers were supportive of NOPSA’s achievements in its first year of operation.
CEO and Corporate Manager attended a forum in Perth with Lynelle Briggs, the Australian Public Service Commissioner, at which issues of relevance to agencies, including funding, and recruitment and retention were discussed.
CONFERENCES: The 2006 Safety In Action conference in Melbourne from 16th to 18th May will feature a one day stream on “safety in the offshore petroleum industry”.
An APPEA National Oil and Gas Safety Conference is scheduled to be held 15th – 16th March at the Perth Convention Centre. NOPSA will be making presentations on its first year of operation and on its National Programmes.
The APPEA annual conference and exhibition will be held 7-10 May 2006. NOPSA will be attending.
The Health and Safety Representatives Forum will run from 27th to 28th February, and will include attention to maintaining connections for the future.
WEBSITE: Advice to operators has been revised and expanded, emphasising the key stages of operating within Australian offshore petroleum safety law.
A new draft guideline on safety case levies has been published, with associated flowcharts describing the levy assessment and remittal decision making processes.
A brief overview of operators’ responsibilities for occupational health under the law is now available.
INTERNATIONAL: We note two recent international incidents:
· An explosion and fire (British Gas Rough Bravo facility in the North Sea) which resulted in serious injuries to two personnel. The facility is likely to be out of operation for at least a month. The UK HSE is investigating this incident.
· A fatality on the well intervention vessel “Seawell” in the North Sea where a person was struck by a 200 Kg mandrel during a wireline operation. Again, UK HSE is investigating.
NATIONAL PROGRAMMES: Both the above incidents emphasize the importance of the current national programmes in facility integrity and lifting operations.
NOPSA has provided draft gas release recording documents to APPEA for comment.
REGULATORY ACTIVITIES: Quantities may vary as further information becomes available.
Safety Case Assessment There were 8 Safety Cases (SC) assessed, but no Pipeline Safety Management Plans (PSMP) or Diving Safety Management Plans (DSMP) were submitted for assessment. At the end of this period 17 Safety Cases are still being assessed
Recently a Safety Case revision was rejected as it was found to have failed to describe two critical aspects which are required by legislation. Guidance on Safety Case content is available from a number of areas, these include the MOSOF regulations and NOPSA’s website; some Industry associations have also prepared their own guidance.
NOPSA will continue to offer advice on Safety Case preparation, and are planning to issue further guidance notes in the future; however the obligation remains on the Operator of the facility to meet the requirements laid out in the legislation.
Operators are reminded of NOPSA’s requirement that Safety Case submissions are made with two hard copies, and one electronic copy, (preferably in a single searchable file, in Adobe Acrobat format), unless otherwise agreed with NOPSA. Operators should also send a covering letter stating that the submission is being made for NOPSA’s assessment.
Inspections There were 5 inspections undertaken during February. Lifting was a common theme to inspections undertaken, as per the national programme on lifting operations.
Maintenance of safety–critical equipment is not being carried out in a timely manner. Operators must ensure that safety critical equipment is properly maintained and fit for use when required.
Incidents & Complaints: 8 Incidents and 7 notifications of less serious events were received. Of the incidents, two were fires and one notification concerned reduction in manning levels due to degradation of structural fibreglass on lifeboats.
3 complaints were received, however these did not directly involve safety and are being resolved without further attention from NOPSA.
Enforcement There were no enforcement notices issued during February.
Past issues of this newsletter are available from the NOPSA website at: http://www.nopsa.gov.au/CEO_emails/
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