HC Deb 22 July 1988 vol 137 cc869-70W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will list in theOfficial Report those safety regulations from which offshore installations are exempt;

(2) what procedures are adopted when consideration is given to exemptions from safety regulations for offshore installations by his Department; and under what statutory authority such exemptions are granted.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Offshore safety regulations apply to all offshore installations. Both the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 confer powers to exempt installations from all or part of such regulations.

Exemptions are issued only when I am fully satisfied that alternative adequate safety arrangements will be in operation and the companies have fully justified their request. Requests for individual exemptions are carefully considered on a case-by-case basis.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list in theOfficial Report his formal responsibilities for health and safety on offshore oil installations.

Mr. Peter Morrison

My right hon. Friend's responsibilities are set out, or provided for, in the following Acts:

  1. (1) The Petroleum (Production) Act 1934.
  2. The Continental Shelf Act 1964.
  3. The Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971.
  4. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (as extended offshore by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (Application outside Great Britain) Order 1977 (S.I. 1977/1232)).

Year £ million
1979–80 4.2
1980–81 4.4
1981–82 5.0
1982–83 4.8
1983–84 4.6
1984–85 4.1
1985–86 6.0
1986–87 6.4
1987–88 5.8

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what has been the annual staffing complement of the safety directorate within the petroleum engineering division of his Department in each year from 1979 to date, detailing personnel levels in the following branches(a) 5A safety engineering, (b) 5B inspection and operations, (c) 6 pipelines inspectorate, (d) 7 diving inspectorate, (e) 8 research and development and (f) safety policy unit.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The number of technical staff in my safety directorate from 1980 to 1988 is set out in the table. Operations and safety are grouped together:

  1. (5) The Petroleum and Submarine Pipelines Act 1975.
  2. (6) The Petroleum Act 1987.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make regulations requiring any company operating offshore installations to ensure that all its employees who work on such installations have a basic minimum swimming proficiency; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 imposes duties on employers to provide the necessary training for the health and safety of the work force.

Given the hostile environment of the North sea, experience has shown that emphasis must be placed on the use of survival systems, including life boats, life rafts, life jackets, immersion suits and standby vessels.