This page provides access to information relating to the Offshore Industry.
This industry employs more than 20,000 people in a range of activities. Although there have been improvements in health and safety offshore since the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988 the risks are ever present - fire, explosion, release of gas and structural failure all have the potential to cause major loss of life. Specific legislation exists to deal with the hazards arising from the operation of fixed/mobile installations, wells and pipelines. This is supported by relevant legislation linked to generic industrial hazards.
This is a dynamic rapidly changing industry but with an ageing infrastructure and increasing cost pressures as the available oil and gas declines. These issues, together with the geographically isolated workforce, and the inherent hazards in working offshore require high standards of management of health and safety.
HSE is responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Britain. Our mission is to ensure that risks to people’s health and safety from work activities are properly controlled. To achieve this HSE utilises the expertise, knowledge and skills of staff in the Offshore Division who are a part of the Hazardous Installations Directorate.
OSD's continuing goals for the upstream petroleum industry:
The offshore pages also contain further information on current live issues
