Topic
Risk Management
Identification, assessment and management of safety risk.
Newest 100 Documents
All 473 in search- 202625 Jun
Serious injury to a crew member on board the scallop dredger Jacoba (BM77)
Investigation into serious crushing injuries aboard Jacoba during scallop dredging in the English Channel. A winch-operated main beam was lowered while a deckhand worked beneath it to clear snagged gear. The report examines inadequate task-specific risk assessments, snag-clearing procedures, familiarisation, crew certification and oversight, and recommends improvements to fleet safety management.
- 202621 May
Man overboard from the potting vessel Wilaya (M36) with the loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal overboard incident during pot deployment on Wilaya near Jack Sound. A rope bight caught the deckhand’s leg, dragging him into the sea; attached gear overcame his flotation device. The report examines crew–gear separation, risk-assessment implementation, safety training, inspection shortcomings and casualty recovery.
- 202615 May
Preventing sexual harassment in the offshore energy industry guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum duty holders on preventing and responding to sexual harassment as a psychosocial hazard. It addresses legal duties, worker consultation, proactive hazard identification, documented risk assessment, work design and leadership. Reporting privacy, investigation arrangements, worker support and review of prevention measures are also discussed.
- 202630 Apr
Double man overboard from the fishing vessel Weston Bay (GY123) with the loss of 1 life
Investigation into two deckhands entering the water during pot deployment aboard Weston Bay, with one death. It examines manual downstacking, exposure to running gear, loss of flotation support and failed recovery equipment, alongside deficiencies in emergency drills, risk assessments, crew task allocation and safety training. The second deckhand’s entry mechanism remains unknown.
- 202631 Mar
Ageing assets and life extension
Guidance on managing ageing assets and extending facility life through lifecycle planning, performance monitoring and integrity assurance. It presents a plan-do-check-act self-assessment framework, ageing modes analysis, competence arrangements and independent verification. Regulatory duties and health and safety representative involvement are discussed, alongside a Northern Endeavour corrosion example.
- 202631 Mar
ALARP in the context of well integrity guidance note
Guidance for titleholders on demonstrating reasonably practicable reduction of well-integrity risks within well operations management plans. It explains gross disproportion, recognised good practice, well-specific risk assessment and precaution under uncertainty. Supported arguments, proportionate analysis and continuing control effectiveness underpin the demonstration; no single methodology is prescribed.
- 202631 Mar
Hazard identification and risk assessment guidance note
Guidance for titleholders on assessing well integrity risks throughout the well lifecycle. It discusses subsurface assessment, independent design review, qualitative and quantitative analysis, FMECA, bow-tie methods and risk registers. Risk profiles inform monitoring and maintenance regimes, anomaly management, change assessment, and planning for well suspension and abandonment.
- 202631 Mar
Oil pollution risk management guidance note
Guidance for petroleum titleholders on evaluating oil pollution risks and preparing emergency response arrangements under environmental regulations. It addresses worst-case releases, oil fate and trajectory modelling, ALARP demonstrations, response resources and jurisdictional interfaces, alongside environmental monitoring, personnel competence, exercises and continuing assurance of response readiness.
- 202631 Mar
Planning for proactive decommissioning
This information paper explains lifecycle planning for petroleum decommissioning, including progressive removal, permanent well abandonment and increasingly detailed permissioning submissions. It outlines regulatory expectations, alternative end states, long-lead procurement, continued maintenance and changing risk profiles, alongside environmental monitoring and completion reporting to demonstrate that obligations have been met.
- 202631 Mar
Safety case content and level of detail guidance note
Guidance for preparing and assessing offshore petroleum facility safety cases explains appropriate content and proportionate detail. It covers facility descriptions, formal safety assessment, safety-critical controls, performance standards and integrated safety management systems. Emphasis falls on standalone evidence, workforce participation, assessment uncertainty and substantiated ALARP arguments rather than reproducing supporting documents.
- 202631 Mar
Staged WOMP submission process
NOPSEMA describes its preferred phased submission of well operations management plans, separating lifecycle management processes from construction, production and abandonment detail. The paper explains concept-selection and detailed-design submissions, risk registers, barrier acceptance criteria, change management and regulatory inspections, while allowing titleholders to retain their existing submission structure.
- 202631 Mar
Well integrity control measures and performance standards guidance note
Guidance for developing and implementing well operation management plans addresses selection, assessment and assurance of well-integrity controls throughout the lifecycle. It explains links between risk assessment and measurable performance standards, periodic effectiveness reviews, functional testing, procedural assurance, contingency measures and relief-well planning, with quality checks for documented control performance.
- 202611 Mar
Loss of propulsion in heavy weather experienced by the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery, leading to over 100 injuries and one fatality
Investigation of Spirit of Discovery’s repeated propulsion losses in heavy weather in the Bay of Biscay. It examines pod overspeed protection, automatic pod parking, weather routing, furniture securing and medical response. Violent vessel motion injured 115 passengers; one passenger sustained a spinal injury and died four days later.
- 202628 Jan
Securing compliance - Inspection conclusions and advice guidance note
NOPSEMA explains how duty holders should respond to inspection conclusions and five categories of compliance recommendations. The guidance distinguishes remedial action plans, direct actions, outcome-based responses, precautionary recommendations and better practice. It describes response detail, responsibilities, realistic deadlines, extension requests, progress monitoring and verification before actions are closed.
- 202627 Jan
Human Factors information paper - Critical task analysis
This information paper explains how critical task analysis supports identification and assessment of human error risk in offshore petroleum operations. It describes hierarchical and tabular task analysis, data collection, goal decomposition and plans analysis, then outlines risk assessment and a staged organisational approach to introducing the methodology.
- 202522 Dec
Safety case lifecycle management guidance note
Guidance explains regulatory management of facility safety cases from design notification and operator registration through submission, acceptance, revision and withdrawal. It distinguishes internal management of change from changes requiring formal revision, addresses five-yearly reviews and validation-scope agreements, and emphasises maintaining an accurate, continually reviewed account of safety arrangements.
- 202522 Dec
Vessel facilities subject to external hydrocarbon hazards guidance note
Guidance on safety cases for vessel facilities exposed to external hydrocarbon hazards. It addresses facility descriptions, formal safety assessment, ignition prevention, gas detection, emergency shutdown and evacuation arrangements. Supporting analyses examine fire, explosion and emergency-system survivability, while the Montara case illustrates shortcomings in preparedness and external-hazard assessment.
- 202510 Dec
Application of oil spill modelling in Environment Plans
Information paper on applying stochastic and deterministic oil spill modelling in offshore petroleum Environment Plans. It discusses input quality, non-mandatory exposure values for four oil phases, environmental consequence evaluation, response resources and monitoring preparedness. It distinguishes combined stochastic boundaries from individual spill footprints and addresses uncertainty and presentation of results.
- 202510 Dec
Critical task analysis information paper
Explains how critical task analysis supports identification and management of human error risks in offshore petroleum operations. Describes hierarchical decomposition into goals, operations and plans, followed by tabular error analysis and risk assessment. Outlines stakeholder engagement, piloting, iteration and documentation when introducing the methodology.
- 202510 Dec
Psychosocial risk management guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum duty holders on managing psychosocial hazards and meeting health and safety obligations. It explains individual, job and organisational risks, their effects on human performance, assessment methods, and promotion, prevention, intervention and mitigation measures. Periodic review and a practical workload-management example illustrate reducing risk to ALARP.
- 202510 Dec
Qualifications of medical personnel on offshore facilities guidance note
Guidance on qualifications and competency assurance for medical personnel at offshore petroleum facilities. It sets out legislative duties, recommended remote healthcare experience and a risk-based approach to staffing. It discusses telemedicine, multiple-casualty resources, diving medical support and additional measures where dedicated medical personnel may be impracticable.
- 20259 Dec
Human error risk reduction to ALARP information paper
This information paper suggests an ALARP-based approach to human error risk in the Australian offshore petroleum industry. It treats error as a barrier-defeating factor and outlines critical-task identification, error classification, performance-shaping factor analysis and control evaluation, distinguishing prevention from recovery and consequence mitigation.
- 2025Dec
The Offshore Health Risk Management Inspection Guide
An umbrella inspection guide for assessing offshore dutyholders’ occupational health and industrial hygiene management. It uses a Plan, Do, Check, Act framework to examine strategies, health risk assessments, competence, control effectiveness and review arrangements. Performance descriptors link compliance findings to enforcement expectations and inform future regulatory inspection priorities.
- 202526 Nov
Control measures and performance standards guidance note
Guidance for offshore facility operators on selecting and assessing controls for major accident risks and establishing verifiable performance standards. It addresses layered protection, common-mode failures, ALARP demonstration, critical operating parameters and lifecycle suitability, linking safety-case documentation with functional testing, monitoring, audit, review and contingency arrangements when controls underperform.
- 202525 Nov
Safety management system guidance note
Guidance on integrating safety management systems with the offshore petroleum safety-case regime. It addresses control effectiveness, workforce competence, work authorisation, change management and continual improvement. Performance standards, monitoring and review underpin assurance, alongside organisational commitment and management of both major accident and occupational risks, including psychosocial hazards.
- 202521 Nov
Emergency planning guidance note
Guidance on emergency planning and safety-case requirements for offshore petroleum facilities. It addresses command arrangements, team competence, medical provision, equipment assurance, communications, evacuation analysis and emergency shutdown. It distinguishes regulatory obligations from suggested approaches and explains performance standards, drills, review and management of planning changes.
- 20257 Nov
Course Descriptor - Refresher HSR training for the offshore petroleum industry
This guideline sets minimum requirements for accredited refresher training for offshore petroleum health and safety representatives. It recommends a one-day course using peer collaboration and case studies, covering legislative updates, risk management and safety cases. Practical learning includes formal safety assessment of major accident events and visualising prevention and mitigation controls.
- 20257 Nov
Involving the workforce guidance note
Guidance on involving workers in safety-case development, revision and implementation. It addresses participation in formal safety assessments, access to information, consultation records and consideration of feedback. Management commitment, representative structures, dedicated time, cooperation and relevant training underpin the approaches described, with mandatory requirements distinguished from recommendations.
- 202530 Oct
Supporting safety studies guidance note
Guidance explains supporting studies for facility safety cases, covering fire and explosion risk analysis, smoke and gas impairment, evacuation, escape and rescue, and emergency-system survivability. It distinguishes regulatory requirements from recommendations and discusses systematic assessment, modelling assumptions, control performance and evidence that risks are reduced as low as reasonably practicable.
- 202529 Oct
Hazard identification guidance note
Guidance on systematic hazard identification for offshore petroleum facilities and its integration with formal safety assessment. It compares HAZOP, task analysis, FMEA, what-if and tree-based methods, explaining their limitations. Workforce participation, documented assumptions, justified exclusions and ongoing review support assessment of major accident hazards and wider health and safety risks.
- 202521 Oct
ALARP guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum operators on demonstrating ALARP through safety cases. It examines reasonable practicability, design choices, good practice, standards and proportionate risk analysis. It also addresses uncertainty, justification of control selection, performance standards and ongoing assurance, distinguishing major accident assessment from the broader health and safety responsibilities of the safety management system.
- 202521 Oct
Risk assessment guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum operators on assessing major accident and wider health and safety risks. It explains qualitative, semi-quantitative and quantitative methods, likelihood and consequence analysis, control reliability and uncertainty. Safety-case documentation, ALARP arguments, workforce participation, assessment review and quality assurance underpin selection of appropriate controls.
- 202516 Oct
Fatal injury to a recreational diver following contact with the motor vessel Karin operating as a recreational dive support vessel
Investigates a recreational diver’s fatal propeller strike during a drift decompression stop in Scapa Flow. Examines Karin’s obstructed forward visibility, ineffective lookout, marker-buoy attachment, vessel coordination and absent documented safety arrangements. Recommendations address harbour oversight, while the annexed bulletin discusses safe vessel separation and hand-held marker-buoy lines.
- 20252 Oct
Grounding and subsequent loss of the dive support vessel Jean Elaine
Investigation of Jean Elaine’s grounding and subsequent loss in Saint Peter’s Pool, Orkney, during scientific diving support. It examines inadequate passage planning, reliance on an unapproved tablet navigation application, ineffective coordination and unchecked certification. Poor hull condition likely contributed to failure after grounding; university and project procedures were subsequently revised.
- 202530 Sep
BSEE Safety Alert 508 -Review anchor-handling plans now Incident damages subsea equipment triggers gas release
A diver support vessel recovering bow anchors snagged a subsea well with an anchor wire. Attempts to free it detached the annulus valve, releasing gas. The alert identifies deficient planning, contractor coordination and emergency readiness, and recommends that operators and contractors consider stronger pre-mobilisation checks, SIMOPS arrangements and anchor-handling plans.
- 202511 Sep
Man overboard from fishing vessel Kingfisher (DH 110) with the loss of 1 life
This investigation examines a fatal overboard accident during manual creel shooting on Kingfisher. A toggle passed through a loose flotation-device becket, attaching a deckhand to fishing gear that pulled him underwater. It analyses equipment compatibility, uncommunicated snagging hazards, ineffective risk assessments and incomplete training, and records recovery efforts and subsequent safety actions.
- 20254 Sep
Hand crushed during coiled tubing reel handling
A worker suffered severe hand injuries and partial amputations of three fingers while aligning a coiled tubing reel into a cradle. A securing frame shifted and trapped the hand. The flash identifies entrapment-prone design, inadequate instructions and incomplete risk assessment, recommending hands-free guiding, equipment familiarisation and improved toolbox talks.
- 202521 Aug
Avoiding fatigue guidance note
Guidance for offshore petroleum duty holders on preventing and managing workforce fatigue within the regulatory framework. It examines sleep debt, circadian rhythms and interacting organisational factors, outlining layered fatigue risk management through staffing, roster design, sleep opportunities, screening and training. It also addresses handovers, interrupted sleep, incident investigation and monitoring of barrier performance.
- 202521 Aug
Serious injury to a passenger on the sea safari rigid inflatable boat Lundy Explorer
Investigates a passenger’s permanent spinal injury during wave-induced slamming aboard Lundy Explorer at Ilfracombe. Examines forward jockey seating, passenger bracing, safety briefings, sea-condition decisions and regulatory gaps. Records restrictions on forward-seat use and recommends improved operating procedures and risk assessments within a safety management system.
- 202519 Aug
Operational risk assessment guidance note
Guidance for offshore oil and gas operators on assessing temporary impairment of safety-critical controls and operation outside design limits. It explains hazard identification, qualitative or semi-quantitative risk evaluation, mitigation assurance, cumulative risk, responsibilities and restoration periods. Assessment must not justify predetermined continuation decisions or substitute for managing permanent changes.
- 202528 Jul
Environment plan content requirements guidance note
Guidance on preparing environment plans for petroleum and greenhouse gas activities submitted to NOPSEMA. It explains environmental descriptions, impact and risk evaluation, acceptable levels and ALARP demonstrations, performance outcomes and standards, implementation systems, monitoring, oil pollution response testing, consultation and incident reporting.
- 202512 Jun
Design notification guidance note
Explains design notification requirements for new or significantly altered production facilities and new greenhouse gas facilities. Covers notification triggers, design options, major accident risks, pipeline materials, decommissioning and site conditions. Clarifies independent validation, subsequent safety-case demonstrations and NOPSEMA’s assessment process, which produces written comments rather than acceptance.
- 202512 Jun
Diving Guidelines - Diving Safety Management Systems and Diving Project Plans
Guidance for preparing diving safety management systems and project-specific diving plans under OPGGS and OEI regulations. It addresses hazard assessment, operational procedures, competence, maintenance, workforce consultation and change management. Emergency provisions include diving bell rescue and evacuation of saturation divers while maintaining pressure, alongside monitoring, investigation and audit requirements.
- 202516 May
Unintended Cargo collision during lifting operations
During vessel-to-vessel backloading, sudden rolling disrupted cargo positioning and the load struck adjacent cargo on the receiving deck. Limited clearance, inadequate load stabilisation and delayed communication contributed. The flash highlights toolbox talks, assessment of vessel movement risks, improved coordination and readiness to stop work.
- 2025May
Risk from height adjustable display screen stands in schools and other education settings
This HSE safety notice addresses impact and crushing risks from motorised height-adjustable display mounts in education settings, including incidents injuring young children. It explains instability, unsuitable fixings and obstructed movement, and sets out responsibilities for users, installers, purchasers and suppliers, emphasising risk assessment, anti-collision protection and restricted access to controls.
- 202524 Apr
Person overboard from keelboat LimbItless with loss of 1 life
This investigation examines Elizabeth Wood’s fatal fall overboard from LimbItless off Cowes. The precise fall mechanism remains unknown. It analyses inadequate individual recovery planning, volunteer training, lifejacket suitability and absent safety-boat support, alongside gaps in oversight of charitable sailing activities and subsequent improvements to recovery provision.
- 202510 Apr
Swamping of small commercial vessel Calypso 2 with loss of 2 lives
Investigation of Calypso 2’s swamping in a coastal cove in Anguilla, resulting in two drowning fatalities. The report examines exposure to ground seas, excursion risk assessment, passage planning, flotation-device use and regulatory oversight. It also analyses distress alerting, casualty recovery and medical provision, recommending improvements to vessel management and rescue arrangements.
- 202526 Feb
Contact with pier by paddle steamer Waverley
Investigation of Waverley’s contact with Brodick pier on 3 September 2020, injuring 24 passengers and crew. Engine dead centre delayed astern propulsion. The report examines piston valve securing, lost engineering expertise, informal training and unassessed closed-end berthing risks. It records subsequent maintenance and operational changes, with no recommendations made.
- 2025Feb
Process safety leadership findings of Energy Division inspection programme
HSE reports findings from inspections of UKCS production operators’ process safety leadership, using a consistent framework based on the COMAH leadership intervention tool. It examines leadership competence, contractor assurance, cumulative risk, performance indicators and incident learning, identifying weaknesses alongside good practice and recommendations for duty holders.
- 202417 Dec
LTI: fall from height during anchor chain handling operation
A bosun on an anchor handling tug supply vessel fell through a gap between chain barriers while passing a tugger wire, landing 2.75 m below and sustaining fractures. The flash identifies unstable footing and inadequate task assessment, and recommends secure access, detailed risk assessment, crew communication and stronger supervision.
- 202427 Nov
Hot work performed outside of Permit to Work (PTW) boundary limit
A contractor used a cutting torch and grinding disc to remove a metal trip hazard from a vessel deck outside the permitted work area. Sparks and slag fell onto scaffolding boards and an electrical cable below. The flash highlights failures in assessment, communication and supervision, recommending improved permit training and job preparation.
- 202421 Nov
Mooring deck accident on bulk carrier Mona Manx with loss of 1 life
Investigation into a fatal mooring accident aboard Mona Manx at Puerto Ventanas, Chile. An entrapped spring line released under tension during an engine-powered astern manoeuvre and recoiled upwards, striking the second officer. The report examines procedural gaps, omitted entrapment risks, safe positioning and communication, and records subsequent safety actions.
- 20247 Nov
Crush incident on board ro-ro cargo vessel Clipper Pennant with loss of 1 life
Investigates the fatal crushing of a bosun during semi-trailer loading aboard Clipper Pennant in Liverpool. Reconstructions examined restricted driver visibility and trailer positioning. Analysis addresses unsafe corner-stowage workarounds, a walkway inside the vehicle lane, conflicting duties, inadequate risk assessments and ineffective incident learning, with recommendations for coordinated vehicle-deck procedures and driver standards.
- 202424 Oct
UK HSE: Incident during rig decommissioning leads to fatality
An IMCA flash summarises HSE findings from gas-rig dismantling ashore. A skirt pile weighing more than 27 tonnes struck a mobile elevating work platform, throwing two workers to ground about 12 metres below. One died; another sustained life-changing injuries. Findings highlight inadequate planning, risk assessment and supervision, with no cutting plan or safe system of work.
- 202417 Oct
Capsize of recreational craft Wheelyboat 123 with the loss of 2 lives
Investigation of Wheelyboat 123’s fatal capsize on Roadford Lake examines bow-ramp leakage, accumulated deck water, loading and wheelchair movement. It assesses maintenance, driver training, risk assessments and unsuitable flotation provision. Physical flotation tests, numerical stability modelling and computational fluid dynamics inform recommendations for safer operation of craft carrying wheelchair users.
- 202410 Oct
Safety warning issued following the foundering of fishing vessel Argos Georgia with the loss of 13 lives
This safety bulletin presents initial findings from the foundering of Argos Georgia, with 13 lives lost. Its side shell door opened and could not be closed; open internal doors allowed further flooding. Fishing-vessel owners, operators and skippers are urged to assess shell-door risks, implement mitigations and inform crews.
- 20243 Oct
Fauna entanglement
An environmental alert describes a shark caught in a rope loop on a subsea electrical flying lead and released using an ROV knife without additional harm. It discusses evaluating fauna interaction risks, considering installation-aid removal and safer designs, guarding injury mechanisms, verifying controls and meeting protected-species incident reporting requirements.
- 202427 Sep
Fall from height on bulk carrier Equinox Seas with loss of 1 life
This investigation examines a fitter’s fatal fall of approximately 10 m through an engine room ventilation trunk aboard Equinox Seas during shipyard maintenance. It identifies inadequate barriers, unassessed fan-removal risks and poor safety coordination, and discusses permit systems, hazard communication and improvements to ship repair safety management.
- 202419 Sep
Injury to person during deck crane operations on board survey and supply vessel Kommandor Orca
This investigation examines a second officer’s leg injury during rail-mounted crane operations aboard Kommandor Orca at Portland. It analyses use of emergency-only local controls, entanglement in unguarded rack and pinion gearing, deficient vessel-specific procedures and training, and overlooked hazards. Company actions included remote operation, revised procedures and additional guarding.
- 202412 Sep
Fall overboard from sail training vessel Pelican of London with loss of 1 life
MAIB investigates a volunteer relief cook’s fatal fall from Pelican of London’s gangway at Sharpness. It examines ineffective guard ropes, a downward-sloping safety net, deficient risk assessment and informal rigging practices. Alcohol impairment and policies for returning from shore are analysed, with recommendations addressing gangway approval, training and alcohol controls.
- 20245 Sep
Safety warning issued following a man overboard from potting vessel Kingfisher with loss of 1 life
This bulletin presents initial findings after a Kingfisher deckhand was pulled overboard during creel shooting. A creel leg rope threaded through his flotation device’s lifting strop connected him to the backrope. It calls for deck risk assessment reviews and task-appropriate flotation devices, while warning against unauthorised modifications that compromise recovery arrangements.
- 202418 Jul
Contact with Oikos Jetty 2 by chemical tanker Ali Ka
Investigation of Ali Ka’s contact with Oikos Jetty 2 during departure from Canvey Island without tug assistance. It examines passage planning, bridge-team coordination, propulsion orders, tidal effects and ECDIS settings. Pilot fatigue was assessed as highly likely to have contributed; recommendations address fatigue management, training, tug provision and challenge resolution.
- 2024May
Risk of serious injury from motion compensated gangways
This safety notice addresses serious injury risks during deployment and use of motion compensated gangways, including entrapment, shearing and falls from open walkway ends. It sets out expectations for risk assessment, timely audible and visible auto-retraction warnings, user and operator competence, and inspection and maintenance arrangements.
- 202419 Apr
Renewable Energy Modernization Rule
Unofficial prepublication final rule modernising US offshore renewable energy regulation. It addresses leasing, meteorological buoy approvals, deferred geotechnical investigations and financial assurance, alongside independent project verification, commissioning, inspections and safety management reporting. Agency responses explain adopted changes, rejected proposals and continuing environmental review obligations.
- 20244 Apr
BSEE Risk Based Inspection Identifies Welding and Burning Hazards
BSEE summarises targeted inspections of Gulf of Mexico production and well-operation facilities that identified welding and burning hazards. Findings include damaged or poorly positioned fire barriers, nearby flammables, deficient planning and training, and conflicting fire-watch duties. Operators and contractors are encouraged to consider improvements to protection, competence, procedures and supervision.
- 20244 Apr
Safety Alert - BSEE Risk Based Inspection Identifies Welding and Burning Hazards
BSEE reports targeted inspections of 22 Gulf of Mexico production and well-operation sites, identifying damaged or misplaced fire barriers, hot work near hydrocarbons, deficient planning and inconsistent training. The alert describes a living-quarters fire and recommends considering improved barrier inspection, task-specific planning, competence assurance, supervision and fire-watch arrangements.
- 20241 Apr
Functional Safety Inspection Guide
Inspection guidance for assessing dutyholders’ management of functional safety against BS EN 61511. It covers lifecycle assessments, competence, SIL allocation and verification, safety requirements, commissioning, proof testing, maintenance and modifications. The Functional Safety Assessment Framework links compliance gaps to performance scores and initial enforcement expectations.
- 202427 Feb
Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) hit protruding scaffolding on a supply vessel
A crew transfer vessel struck scaffolding protruding from an anchored offshore supply vessel, damaging a railing without injury. The master underestimated the projection and vessel swing, while repeated transfers were treated as routine. The flash calls for a more comprehensive risk assessment addressing protruding objects and continuous swing.
- 202419 Feb
Hot work whilst working at height in a confined space – job was stopped
A contractor’s welder was observed flame-cutting inside a vessel’s ballast tank on a wooden platform over 1.80 m high, without fall protection. Work was stopped and a harness, inertia reel and tripod arrangement introduced temporarily. The flash identifies missing permits, an unreviewed risk assessment and inadequate supervision.
- 202314 Dec
Heavy contact between the high-speed passenger craft Seadogz and a navigation buoy with loss of 1 life
Investigation of Seadogz’s fatal collision with a navigation buoy in Southampton Water. It examines skipper workload and visibility, chart plotter accessibility, passenger seating and handhold protection, lifejacket effectiveness, and operator oversight. Recommendations address passenger protection, inconsistent regulatory guidance and port assessment of high-speed commercial passenger operations.
- 20237 Dec
Accidental discharge of condensed aerosol fire-extinguishing system on beam trawler Resurgam with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal accidental aerosol fire-extinguishing system discharge during installation aboard Resurgam in Newlyn harbour. It examines electrical commissioning, generator placement, toxic combustion products and impaired escape. Laboratory trials inform analysis of inhalation hazards, while findings address installer competence, regulatory approval, contractor coordination and rescue arrangements.
- 20232 Nov
Pedestrian Injuries from Sikorsky S-92A Downwash During Hospital Landing
Investigates fatal and serious pedestrian injuries caused by downwash during a Sikorsky S-92A landing at Derriford Hospital. Examines approach planning, public access, risk assessments, warning signs, staff competence and hospital–operator coordination. Reviews landing-site guidance and sets out recommendations and safety action addressing risks beyond the landing-site boundary.
- 202316 Oct
Uncertified bosun’s chairs
Management visits identified three cases of crew-made wooden-board and rope supports for painting and repairs at height on vessels. The flash highlights poor hazard recognition, procedural awareness and inspection, alongside unresolved previous findings. Unsafe equipment was destroyed and arrangements introduced for suitably designed, certified fall-arrest and man-riding equipment.
- 20233 Oct
Rope access technician slipped and dislocated shoulder
A rope access technician dislocated his right shoulder after slipping from a wet vessel platform handrail and falling approximately 1 m while still connected to ropes. The flash identifies inadequate risk planning and assessment, and describes detailed job safety analysis, a subcontractor safety stand-down and refresher training.
- 202315 Sep
Safety warning issued following a serious passenger injury during a rigid inflatable boat ride
This interim safety bulletin examines a sea safari passenger’s spinal fracture and permanent paralysis after a RIB slammed into a wave trough. It highlights increased injury risk in forward seats, regardless of speed, and strongly advises operators to review risk assessments and briefings addressing seat use, handholds, posture and stability.
- 202312 Sep
UK HSE – Worker struck in the face by a crane hook
A worker freeing a jammed paper reel with an overhead crane lost an eye after crane contact with the spinning reel made the hook swing into his face. The flash highlights inadequate assessment of machinery malfunctions, missing instructions, and the need to address non-routine operations and routine violations.
- 2023Sep
Manage risk of damage to grating systems (walkways and deck areas) on offshore installations during rig moves
This alert addresses damage or displacement of offshore walkway and deck gratings during rig moves, including adverse weather and wave impact. It calls for assessment across operating modes, regular inspection and maintenance, competent personnel, fatigue controls and emergency arrangements for missing persons or people overboard.
- 202315 Aug
Caught between: Unplanned movement of equipment leads to severe injuries
A mechanic suffered severe injuries when moving hydraulic hoses tipped a three-tonne hose saddle towards a container door, trapping him. The flash examines instability, absent securing and shortcomings in change management and work coordination during maintenance. Actions address equipment stability, sea-fastening, work authorisation and toolbox participation.
- 202314 Aug
MODU mooring systems in cyclonic conditions information paper
This information paper examines cyclonic mooring risks for mobile offshore drilling units. It discusses site-specific design return periods, met-ocean and seabed inputs, component degradation, installation assurance and change management. Operational guidance covers line-tension management, inspection performance standards, emergency preparedness and consideration of position monitoring during cyclone evacuation.
- 202324 Jul
LTI – Crew member fell down open hatch
A crew member securing a rope during mooring stumbled into an open hatchway, sustaining three broken ribs and a lost time injury. The flash identifies failures in communication and hazard recognition, absent barriers and warning signs, and lack of a toolbox meeting. It recommends task-specific briefings and discussing protective measures.
- 20231 Jul
Crew member in small boat slipped and dislocated shoulder
A crew member kneeling in a diving workboat dislocated his shoulder while bracing against its internal structure after the boat pitched into a mooring buoy. The flash identifies gaps in risk assessment and project planning, and calls for consideration of instinctual behaviour and review of small-boat safety briefings.
- 202312 Jun
MAIB: A heavy sheave fell over causing an LTI
A bosun working alone aboard a vessel suffered multiple leg fractures when a half-ton sheave toppled during manual relocation for offloading. The flash identifies unauthorised stowage, absent lift planning and underestimated handling risks, and calls for help and a clearly communicated plan before moving such loads.
- 20238 Jun
Safety Bulletin - Hazardous Offshore Work
Following a recent offshore fatality, this bulletin revisits risk assessment for rigging and moving loads. It explains the hierarchy of controls, prioritising elimination and engineering measures over administrative controls and PPE. It emphasises reassessment when circumstances change, executive oversight and statutory duties, without establishing incident root causes.
- 2023Jun
Pop-up toilets: Risk of crushing
This safety notice describes a fatal crushing incident beneath a raised telescopic pop-up toilet. It addresses chamber access, cleaning, inspection and maintenance risks, prioritising risk assessment and suitably rated engineering safeguards against lowering. It also calls for maintained controls and adequate safety information, with written instructions where appropriate.
- 2023May
Risk to offshore installation mooring lines outside 500m safety zone
This safety notice addresses trawling and navigation risks to floating offshore installation moorings beyond 500 m safety zones. It describes collisions and fishing-gear snagging despite warnings, and calls for clear information on mooring spreads and conditional snagging hazards, alongside review of collision risk management and emergency response arrangements.
- 202313 Mar
Sudden and uncontrollable move of A&R head
During pipeline abandonment preparations aboard a vessel, an abandonment and recovery head was ejected from the pipe end while being aligned for welding. Crane support prevented it dropping, and nobody was injured. The flash identifies absent vent holes, unrecognised residual-water effects and unnecessary personnel exposure, encouraging reassessment of specifications and risks.
- 202327 Feb
Poor control of work in dry dock
This safety flash describes several cases of inadequately controlled contractor work on a vessel hull during dry-dock maintenance, including mesh cutting and pad-eye welding. Crew misunderstood vessel management’s responsibilities for external work. Contractors were unattended, task risk assessments were too generic, and company procedures and local safety requirements were not followed.
- 202216 Dec
Persons overboard from prawn trawler Reul A Chuain with loss of 1 life
Investigates two falls overboard from the prawn trawler Reul A Chuain in the Sound of Rùm, resulting in the skipper’s death. Examines unsecured net stowage, manual recovery in heavy weather, absent restraint arrangements, flotation device use, cold-water survival and improvised winch recovery. Identified risk controls and practical emergency drills had not been implemented.
- 202213 Dec
Near miss: pipe dropped from pipe supports
A pipe fell from temporary easels while a worker turned it during cleaning with an angle grinder and abrasive sanding wheel. No injury or damage occurred. The flash identifies inadequate supports and gaps in manual-handling risk assessment, recommending mechanical turning devices, stronger contractor oversight and verification of third-party operations.
- 20228 Dec
Commercial stand up paddleboarding accident on river weir with loss of 4 lives
Investigation of a commercial stand up paddleboarding tour in which four people died after becoming trapped in hydraulic towback at Haverfordwest Town Weir. The report examines river conditions, tour preparation, leadership qualifications, participant briefings, flotation and leash arrangements, alongside weir risk assessment, warning signs and rescue measures.
- 202230 Nov
LTI: burns to forearms
A worker suffered serious burns to both forearms after unexpected pipe assembly movement brought an arm into contact with the pipe during manual marking in coating work. Preliminary findings highlight routine manual intervention and absent consideration of engineered alternatives. Recommendations emphasise communicating stop-work expectations and challenging tasks to remove human exposure.
- 20221 Nov
Live sub-surface power cable inadvertently cut
An excavator cut an energised buried power cable during onshore pipeline trenching, without injuries or equipment damage. Incomplete as-built information and misleading drawings left the cable hazard unidentified in risk assessment. The flash highlights isolation, cable tracking during excavation planning and clear communication of stop-work authority.
- 202224 Oct
Unsafe transportation and packing arrangements
Two near misses involving subcontracted packing and transportation exposed inadequate containment and support of project equipment. The flash identifies shortcomings in planning, packing instructions, vendor approval verification and stop-work implementation. Recommendations address the complete transport process, fit-for-purpose instructions, timely communication with subcontractors and consistent exercise of stop-work authority.
- 20227 Sep
Temporary Equipment as a Potential Source of Ignition on Offshore Facilities
BSEE describes three examples of temporary equipment unsuitable for hazardous areas on offshore facilities: a diesel air compressor, hydraulic power pack and portable fan. The alert recommends considering equipment checks, ignition controls, management of change, pre-startup review and documented risk assessment throughout installation, use and removal.
- 20222 Sep
Flooding and sinking of survey workboat Bella
Investigation into Bella’s flooding and sinking during hydrographic surveying near Lynmouth. Survey equipment modifications reduced forward freeboard, while inadequate buoyancy and non-watertight openings allowed progressive flooding. The report examines deficient commercial certification and safety management, records the crew’s safe abandonment and rescue, and recommends improved certification guidance and vessel safety management.
- 2022Aug
Guidance on the provision of accommodation on offshore installations
HSE guidance explains offshore accommodation requirements, covering bed design, cabin space, privacy and overcrowding. It sets conditions for temporary 2+1 occupancy and welfare impact assessments, alongside safety-case changes and workforce consultation. Separate provisions address accommodation support vessels and planned or unplanned overnight stays on normally unattended installations.
- 202222 Jul
Damage to flexible riser
A water injection riser suffered outer-coating damage against a sharp moonpool flare during installation through a vessel’s tilted lay system. The flash identifies missed design hazards, inadequate risk controls and failure to transfer earlier lessons. Recommendations address lifecycle learning, sharp-edge mitigation and vessel-team review of project-supplied equipment.
- 202214 Jul
Mooring deck accident on general cargo vessel Teal Bay with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal mooring deck accident aboard Teal Bay during ship-to-ship grain loading at Kavkaz South anchorage. A tensioned spring line escaped an open roller fairlead during warping. The report examines upward line leads, shared fairlead use, insufficient crewing, planning and risk assessment, and delays in coordinating medical evacuation.
- 20224 Jul
BSEE/USCG: Dealing with extreme weather events
This flash summarises joint BSEE/USCG findings on a drillship’s unsuccessful escape from Hurricane Ida in the Gulf of Mexico. Delayed temporary abandonment and riser retrieval problems preceded loss of riser equipment and fluid pollution. Recommendations address timely weather decisions, contingency planning, mass evacuation arrangements and training gaps.
- 20228 Jun
Human Factors information paper - Risk migration
Explains how operational trade-offs can gradually erode safety margins, using a well abandonment campaign involving offshore hydrocarbon gas venting. Examines deficient hazard assessment, equipment assurance and modification controls through systems theory, distinguishing possible explanations from verified findings. Introduces guided adaptability to support anticipation, coordinated responses and proactive learning.