The Importance of Risk Assessments & Maintenance in Offshore Operations
Offshore risk management leaves very little margin for error, given the inherent dangers and challenges of the environment.
The latest data from the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals that over the past decade, the UK offshore oil and gas industry has reported six fatal injuries. In 2019 alone, there were 73 over-seven-day injuries. Additionally, health and safety concerns raised with the HSE were followed up 39 times that year, leading to 174 planned inspections and the issuance of 22 enforcement notices.
When it comes to maintaining offshore facilities, it’s not just time at stake. There’s also the significant financial impact of a site becoming non-operational, as well as, most importantly, the safety of workers. All of these depend on proper risk assessment, maintenance, and the right equipment.
We’ve put together a brief overview of offshore risk management and highlighted the essential role of preventative maintenance.
Offshore Risk Assessments
To ensure a safe working environment and prevent injuries on an offshore facility, the first step will always be conducting a thorough risk assessment. An offshore risk assessment will:
- Identify potential hazards
- Assess the probability of occurrence
- Determine the potential consequences
Based on this analysis, the assessment will then provide recommendations for prevention, mitigation, and recovery.
In many cases, a company will implement a Permit to Work system as part of its overall Safety Management System (which refers to the organisation’s comprehensive approach to managing safety risks).
The Permit to Work is used to control specific types of work by requiring employees to maintain relevant risk assessments. This system may include:
- A work instruction
- A maintenance procedure
- A local procedure
- An operational procedure
- A checklist
- A permit
These documents ensure that work is carried out in accordance with previously agreed safety procedures.
Important note: The physical Permit to Work that is issued doesn’t guarantee a job will be safer. However, when team members actively participate in the process, it helps to lower the risk for everyone involved in the task.
Essential Offshore Maintenance
A significant portion of maintaining a safe offshore facility involves preventative maintenance rather than reactive repairs. Some of the most crucial tasks include:
- Pump room bilges: Performing work to prevent the escape of hydrocarbon liquids or vapour into the pump room.
- Pipeline condition: Conducting visual inspections to confirm the condition of pipelines.
- Critical bolts: Verifying that critical bolts on cargo pumps and fittings are secure.
- Emergency escape routes: Ensuring proper markings and confirming that routes are free from obstructions.
The common theme across these tasks is a solid maintenance routine and focused efforts to prevent accidents or injuries by addressing areas where potential risks to colleagues could arise. Creating a safe working environment goes beyond considering the safety measures for a specific task; it also involves proactive measures to prevent risks from occurring in the wider environment.
Specialist Offshore Equipment
Whenever modifications are planned for an offshore facility, a risk assessment must be conducted. The equipment used must also meet safety standards. As a result, selecting the right equipment to perform tasks in accordance with the risk assessment is essential.
We have several case studies demonstrating how our experts’ recommendations for the right specialist equipment lead to improved efficiency and excellent risk management.
Gryphon Alpha
Engineers on the North Sea’s Gryphon Alpha saved hundreds of thousands of pounds in freight, downtime, rebuild, and fitting costs by drying the DC motor of a damp water injection pump on-site using a portable SA FLEXIHEAT EX heater.
Nederland Raffinaderij B.V.
Several pumps at Shell Nederland Raffinaderij B.V. were not adequately illuminated by standard lighting. SA LUMIN EX task lights were selected for their certified, IP66 water and dust-proof specification, providing a safer and more efficient working environment.
Rhyl Field
At Rhyl Field, power and lighting solutions were needed despite the facility being mostly unmanned and having poor power sockets. ATEX-certified SA POWERNET EX distribution units, extension leads, and splitter boxes were supplied to provide power to the work sites. These powered SA LUMIN EX rechargeable floodlights for temporary lighting. The result was a quick, easy installation of a safe working environment with portable equipment, which resulted in minimal working hours.
ATEX Equipment Suppliers
SA Equip has been providing certified and portable heat, light, air, and power products that are trusted by offshore professionals worldwide since the 1920s. Designed and engineered in the UK to the highest standards, these products are tailored to mitigate risks associated with working in areas prone to explosions, all while enabling faster and more efficient operations.
