§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Transport why the provisions of Statutory Instrument No. 500, 1977, the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations, do not apply to offshore oil installations located in areas designated by order under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964; and when they will come into operation.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe health and safety at work of persons employed on offshore oil and gas installations is the responsibility of my Department. Accordingly, I have been asked to reply.
The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations were made by the Health and Safety Conimision under the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974. This act did not apply offshore at the time the regulations were made. Accordingly, it was not possible for the regulations to be applied to oil and gas installations on the continental shelf or in territorial waters.
The Act has now been applied offshore and work is in hand drafting regulations of a similar nature to the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 which will apply to the offshore oil and gas industry. There are several possibilities as to the way in which such regulations can be applied. A letter setting out the options and requesting comment will be circulated to the several organisations representing the owners, employers and unions by the end of September.