Workplace Report April 2016

Health & safety - HSE Monitor

Offshore safety


Maritime union RMT has questioned assurances about safety offshore following a HSE improvement notice served on Marathon Oil in relation to a pipe failure on the Brae Alpha platform. 


The platform was shut down last Boxing Day after a gas leak endangered the lives of workers. The HSE found that Marathon had failed to properly inspect the pipework for more than 30 years.


“The offshore industry has repeatedly claimed there would be no compromise to safety as a consequence of cuts to manning,” said RMT general secretary Mick Cash. “Marathon was one of the first operators to slash workforce numbers and alter shift patterns, yet it appears they couldn’t meet maintenance standards even before those changes were introduced. How will they and others be able to maintain safe operations with 20% less people?”

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-responds-to-hse-improvement-notice-on-marathon-oil