Authorities are responding to a recent fatality at the North Rankin offshore oil and gas facility.

The incident has prompted the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) to issue a safety bulletin, emphasising the critical importance of identifying risks and implementing effective controls to ensure the safety of workers.

NOPSEMA says a concerning trend has emerged in the industry, with an increasing number of incidents attributed to inadequate risk assessment. 

Factors such as insufficient evaluation of stored energy, exclusion zones, line-of-fire hazards, and improper equipment selection or use contribute significantly to these risks. The risks further escalate when job conditions change without conducting proper risk reassessment.

While investigations are underway to determine the root causes of such incidents, NOPSEMA recommends revisiting certain fundamental principles within the industry to enhance risk identification and control implementation in similar activities. 

The safety bulletin (PDF) reinforces the need for thorough risk identification and the application of effective controls to safeguard personnel at all times.

Under Schedule 3 of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006, operators, individuals responsible for specific work at a facility, and employers bear the duty of taking all reasonably practicable measures to ensure the health and safety of workers and individuals at the facility.

The bulletin also highlights the importance of a comprehensive hazard identification and control process, encompassing various steps such as hazard identification, safety studies, risk assessment, demonstration of risk reduction, and the implementation of control measures and performance standards. 

The involvement of top executives, audits, and verification processes within organisations is essential to oversee the effectiveness of this process and ensure the safety of workers in all activities.

By prioritising risk identification and employing effective controls, NOPSEMA says operators can strive to create safer work environments and prevent future accidents.