Health and Safety Executive Publish Underlying Causes of Offshore Incidents
The Offshore Safety Division (OSD) is committed to providing the Offshore Industry Advisory Committee (OIAC) with an analysis of the causes of offshore incidents. To achieve this, the underlying causes of offshore incidents (fatalities, major injuries and major dangerous occurrences) were identified using OSD Inspection Management Teams (IMT) inspectors investigation reports supplied to the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) by OSD. The project objectives were to:
- Identify as far as possible the underlying causes of offshore incidents resulting in fatalities, major injuries and (time permitting) major dangerous occurrences - over the period 2004 to 2008 and determine any trends that may emerge; and
- Use the existing work done by HSL for Offshore Division on Hydrocarbon Releases (HCR) and Key Programme 3 (Asset Integrity Programme) to see if they can provide any other information on underlying causes.
Given the time and resources available, only offshore fatalities and major injuries have been investigated. Underlying causes of major dangerous occurrences (including HCRs) can be done separately if required.
Investigation reports were available for 67 of the offshore incidents, involving fatalities and major injuries, which occurred over the period 2004-2008. Information on these 67 incidents was available from two sources: the RIDDOR (31) reports (supplied by the offshore operators) and HSE Inspectors' Investigation Reports.
The RIDDOR reports include records of: Injury Type, Injury Location, Kind of Accident, Operating Company, Agent and Work Process Environment. The inspectors reports were searched and any information on Direct Causes, Underlying Causes, Regulation / Guidance mentioned and Health and Safety Management System Failing was recorded. Therefore as well as highlighting major issues in offshore incidents identified from RIDDOR and inspection reports, cross-referencing of data was possible.
The report also includes comparison with KP3, HCR and HSE Offshore Annual Accidents Reports. Relevant Guidance is discussed: OSD-specific, LOLER, PUWER, MHSWR and HSWA. Human factors issues are also commented on.
Health and Safety Executive: Underlying Causes of Offshore Incidents Report
Posted 25/01/2010
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