UK offshore companies warned over isolation failings as HSE identifies serious shortcomings

The warning came as the Health and Safety Executive released findings from inspections of offshore installations which raised significant concerns about companies failing to meet their requirements for isolating plant and equipment, mainly in relation to how the isolation procedures were implemented in organisations

These critical gaps in isolation practices were one of the major factors behind hydrocarbon releases and risked putting lives in danger, the regulator warned, with companies failing to follow the existing HSG 253 guidance around the safe isolation  of plant and equipment.

Natalie Walker, a regulatory expert with Pinsent Masons in Aberdeen, said the findings showed how important it was for offshore operators to take the risks seriously.

“This will remain a key focus area of HSE going forward and an area in which enforcement action by HSE is likely if the required standards are not being met,” she said. “It’s vitally important for energy companies to ensure their policies and procedures in this area are effective, up to date, follow the relevant guidance and are fully implemented.”

Among the findings by the regulator’s inspectors were instances of company standards not meeting the existing requirements for isolation, and poor risk assessments which had failed to identify trapped fluids, pressure sources or non-return valves.

They also found inaccurate instrumentation and piping diagrams which did not match actual isolation system conditions and discovered operators conducting complex isolations rather than waiting for shutdowns, which the HSE warned results in risks that are not as low as reasonably practicable.

Scott Templeton, principal specialist inspector with the HSE’s offshore energy division, said: “Effective and lasting improvement requires everyone involved in isolations, from senior management to those carrying out work on the plant, to share a genuine commitment to achieving and maintaining isolation procedures and practice to the required standard.

“We will soon issue updated inspection guidance, so operators know what to expect they will be assessed on. Safe isolation will remain an inspection priority.”