BOEMRE proposes additions to SEMS rule

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement has proposed some additional requirements for offshore safety and environmental systems, or SEMS, that were mandated in a new safety rule issued in October 2010. The new safety rule goes into effect in November of this year and requires companies engaged in offshore drilling to have a formal SEMS program, involving the identification of potential hazards and the development of risk-reduction strategies for all activities.

The proposed rule addendum requires SEMS programs to include several specific features: the conducting of job safety analyses; procedures for employee instigated “stop work” authority in the event of a safety concern; clear definitions of authority for operational safety at a facility; an employee participation program for SEMS implementation; guidelines for reporting unsafe work conditions; and a requirement for third party safety audits.

“As we continue to encourage balanced and responsible oil and gas development on the OCS, we must remain fully focused on continually strengthening safety standards to protect workers and to reduce the risk of accidents and spills,” said Interior Secretary Salazar when announcing the proposed requirements on Sept. 13. “Our goal is to ensure that safety is front and center every day, for every worker, on every project.”

Comments on the proposal are required by Nov. 14.

—Alan Bailey