BSEE Issues Guidance for Workplace Safety Rule
Designed to reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries and spills in oil and gas exploration The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)issued a Notice to Lessees (NTL) that provides further guidance on the previously issued Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) rule. The SEMS rule, also referred to as the Workplace Safety Rule, is designed to reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries and spills that occur in connection with offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The NTL consolidates guidance and information to help operators comply with the requirements of the rule. Operators are required to implement a SEMS program by November 15, 2011.In October 2010, BSEE's predecessor agency, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), issued the Workplace Safety Rule requiring offshore oil and gas operators to develop and maintain a SEMS program (http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Announces-Regulations-to-Strengthen-Drilling-Safety-Reduce-Risk-of-Human-Error-on-Offshore-Oil-and-Gas-Operations.cfm). NTL 2011-N09 provides additional information on SEMS, which is a comprehensive safety and environmental impact program designed to reduce the human and organizational errors that are the causes of many work-related accidents and offshore oil spills. The requirements apply to all OCS oil and gas operations and the facilities under BSEE jurisdiction, including drilling, ...
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