Health and Safety Executive

OCM Emergency planning

Offshore COSHH Control approach 4 essentials Special advice

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice in planning for emergencies and contractors) to comply with the Control helps identify tasks where an emergency could arise. Emergency of Substances Hazardous to Health planning for confined spaces can be found in OCM1. Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to protect workers’ health. Action 3 Identify tasks that might lead to an emergency situation. This guidance consolidates good control 3 Involve the offshore medic in emergency planning. practice and reinforces existing knowledge with additional information. Planning It will help you carry out COSHH 3 Keep plans as simple as possible and available at any time. assessments, review existing 3 Display emergency contact details. assessments, deliver training and in 3 Planning for specific emergencies should involve the emergency supervising activities involving substances response teams, offshore medic, first aiders and employees. hazardous to health. 3 Consult the emergency response team (ERT) and the medic responsible for primary care. It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities 3 Keep a stock of necessary spillage control kits, neutralising materials, include the management of substances personal decontamination equipment and personal protective hazardous to health on offshore equipment. installations (eg occupational health 3 Decide which emergencies you expect your employees to tackle, which specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors ones you’ll need help with, and which ones need everyone to get out of etc). It is also useful for trade union and the area. employee safety representatives. 3 Typical emergency situations could include: n someone collapsing;

Following the guidance is not compulsory n failure of an engineering control system;

and you are free to take other action. But if n leak from process plant or spillage from container, particularly in a

you do follow this guidance all the points confined space; in this sheet you will normally be doing n failure of breathing apparatus; and

enough to comply with the law. Health n fire.

and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may refer to Emergency procedures this guidance as illustrating good practice. 3 When things go wrong, you need effective arrangements for rapid rescue of those in danger. If you need a service provider (eg 3 Identify tasks that might involve an emergency, or could damage consultant), OCM sheets describe what services nearby, eg power, chemical-containing or pressurised they should deliver. systems. 3 Identify locations where communication is difficult, eg in calling for help, You may need help from a health and or it is difficult to evacuate a casualty. safety expert. 3 Train everyone involved. Hold practices and modify your procedures to improve the performance.

Emergency planning OCM5 Special advice

3 Practices should include making the site safe, clearing spills, rescuing Further information casualties etc. Basic advice on first aid at work 3 Where personal alarms are provided, these must be fully charged and Leaflet INDG347(rev1) working properly. HSE Books 2006 (priced packs of 20) ISBN 978 0 7176 6193 0) First aid www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ 3 Have at least two first aiders per shift to give first aid. Include ‘back-to- indg347.pdf back’ workers. You can find the full Offshore 3 Provide first-aid equipment, and consider special hazards. COSHH essentials series at www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm Training 3 Train everyone potentially involved in emergencies – not just rescuers and first aiders. 3 Induction must include how to contact the control room to summon emergency response and the location of alarm points. 3 Train everyone to know when and how to act, when to get help, and when to evacuate and raise the alarm.

Cleaning 3 Provide spill clear-up kits and equipment. 3 Appoint someone as responsible for looking after these. 3 Seek expert advice. Liquid spills 3 The absorbent you need depends on the liquid: n The quantity likely to be spilt, eg more or less than 100 litres.

n The surface – smooth or porous? Or on water?

n The liquid – thick and viscous or flowing?

n Solution in water or able to mix with water?

n Oxidising, corrosive, flammable, toxic or harmful?

3 Use good ventilation for clearing up harmful volatile liquids. An air blower may be required.

Solid spills 3 Use gentle shovelling and vacuuming or wet cleaning to avoid stirring up dust.

Caution: Don’t use a brush or compressed air for cleaning.

Decontamination 3 Check safety data sheets for information on neutralising and decontaminating spills and contaminated equipment. 3 Treat and store cleaned up materials as hazardous waste.

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11