§ Mr. DoranTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many offshore installations in the United Kingdom continental shelf are classified as not normally manned installations; what criteria are applied to determine whether an installation is so classified; and what requirements are in force for safety and evacuation of workers on such installations.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonForty installations have been registered with my Department as not normally manned. There are a number of criteria that are taken into account in determining whether an installation is so classified, including the number of visits necessary to maintain normal operations, the number of persons likely to be on the installation at any one time, the hazards likely to be present and the logistical support provided.
There is a duty on every employer under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure the safety at work of all his employees, and this would apply whenever people are present on installations which are not normally manned. In addition, there are specific statutory requirements under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 for there to be lifebuoys, lifejackets, suitable and sufficient means of descent to the water, automatic fire and flammable gas detection systems, remote control safety equipment, fire extinguishers and fireman's equipment on every offshore installation. A standby vessel must be in attendance at all times when there are persons present on a not normally manned installation and in addition operating companies have agreed that a helicopter will be available so that in the event of an emergency all persons can be evacuated with the minimum delay.