HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 cc290-1W
Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list those establishments which are authorised to issue safety certificates to employees in the offshore oil and gas industry;

(2) what instructions or guidance his Department gives with regard to offshore safety certificates;

(3) how many employees on Piper Alpha on 7 July held full and valid offshore safety certificates; and if he will make a statement;

(4) what is his Department's policy with regard to the issue of offshore safety certificates for employees in the offshore oil and gas industries.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Safety certificates for personnel working offshore are not required, although some specialists require certificates of competence for the work on which they are employed. Regulations require the operator to appoint competent persons to be responsible for the control and safety of the installation and its equipment.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the guidance notes and instructions issued by his Department in respect of all aspects of the offshore oil and gas industry, with dates and details of any supplementary or additional guidance notes or instructions.

Mr. Peter Morrison

My Department issues guidance on a number of subjects including the following:

  • Design and Construction
  • Life-Saving Appliances
  • Fire-Fighting Equipment
  • Continental Shelf Operation Notices
  • Safety Memoranda
  • Training and Survival
  • Crane Operators
  • Ballast Control Operators
  • Radio Telephone Operators
  • Helicopter Landing Officers
  • Submarine Pipelines Guidance Notes
  • Guidelines for the specification and operation of dynamically positioned diving support vessels and drilling vessels
  • Emergency Shut-Down Systems
  • Guidelines for air range diving support vessels

In addition, video training guides have also been issued and numerous technology reports have been published by HMSO on behalf of my Department.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his Department's policy with regard to fire training for employees in the offshore oil and gas industry; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The Offshore Installations (Fire-Fighting Equipment) Regulations 1978 (SI 1978/611) require offshore operators to provide approved fire-fighting equipment. Training in the use of this equipment is a matter for the operator in accordance with section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 which places a duty on employers to provide such training as necessary to ensure as far as practicable, the health and safety of their employees.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his policy with regard to the issue of immersion suits for employees in the offshore oil and gas industry(a) as regards the employees of platform operators and (b) as regards the employees of subcontractors of platform operators.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Operators are required to supply employees with protective clothing on every offshore installation.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what guidance or instruction is issued by his Department to those establishments providing offshore safety training and issuing offshore safety certificates.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The guidance notes listed in my reply to the hon. Member today are available to estalishments providing offshore safety training.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is the relationship between his Department and those establishments providing offshore safety training and issuing offshore safety certificates;

(2) whether those establishments providing offshore safety training and issuing offshore safety certificates are subject to approval, licence or supervision by him or any other Government or public agency.

Mr. Peter Morrison

There is no statutory relationship between my Department and those establishments providing offshore safety training. By agreement, one of my officials has a seat on the board of the offshore petroleum industry training board. I have had regular meetings with the chairman of the offshore petroleum industry training board to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many staff in his Department are employed in supervising the work of the certifying authorities appointed by him in terms of the Offshore Installation (Construction and Survey) Regulations 1974; and what are their qualifications.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The certifying authorities are internationally recognised independent bodies. My Department does not supervise their work, although the authorities' method of working is monitored by my Department. Three inspectors, who are either chartered engineers or graduates with at least five years' experience of the oil industry, are assigned to this task. In addition all my inspectors, as part of their enforcement duties, observe the work of the certifying authorities and liaise with them as necessary.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will introduce legislation to extend the provisions of the Occupiers Liability Act 1960 to offshore oil and gas installations.

Mr. Peter Morrison

No.