S.I. No. 16/1991 - Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Operations) Regulations, 1991.

S.I. No. 16 of 1991.

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE (OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS) (OPERATIONS) REGULATIONS, 1991.

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

PART I

Preliminary

Regulation

1. Citation and commencement.

2. Interpretation.

3. Application.

PART II

Safety

4. Hazardous area.

5. Work permits.

6. Dangerous substances.

7. Maintenance, examination and testing.

8. Independent examination of lifting appliances and lifting gear.

9. Scheme of independent examination of pressure systems.

10. Miscellaneous powers and competent persons.

11. Emergency power supply.

12. Heating and lighting.

13. Ventilation.

14. Noise.

15. Written instructions.

16. Movement of offshore installations.

17. Safety of plant and electrical apparatus.

18. General construction of electrical apparatus.

19. Dangerous parts of machinery.

20. Power isolation.

21. Removal of machinery guards.

22. Marking of lifting appliances and lifting gear.

23. General safety of workplaces.

24. Cold store or chamber.

25. Drilling and production safety.

26. Personal protective equipment.

27. Signalling equipment.

28. Radio operators.

29. Operational information.

30. Helicopter landings officer.

31. Helicopter operations.

32. Helicopter movements.

33. Vessels, helicopters, hovercraft.

34. Lifting of loads.

PART III

Notifiable Accidents

35. Notifiable accidents and other occurences.

PART IV

Health

36. Drinking water.

37. Provisions.

38. Sick bay.

PART V

Welfare

39. Hours of work.

PART VI

Management

40. Operational Staff.

41. Medical staff.

PART VII

General duties and prescribed authority

42. General duties.

43. Access to Regulations.

44. Prescribed authority.

45. Translation of reports etc.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Frequency of examination and testing of certain equipment.

SECOND SCHEDULE

Form of report of independent thorough examination of lifting appliance or lifting gear.

Form of report of independent thorough examination of hoist or lift.

THIRD SCHEDULE

Competent person — staff, specialist services and organisation.

FOURTH SCHEDULE

Matters to be provided for in written instructions.

FIFTH SCHEDULE

Markings for safe working loads for multiple slings.

SIXTH SCHEDULE

Provisions relating to drilling and production operations.

SEVENTH SCHEDULE

Notifiable accidents and other occurrences.

EIGHT SCHEDULE

Medical stores for sick bay.

S.I. NO. 16 of 1991 :

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE (OFFSHORE INSTALLATIONS) (OPERATIONS) REGULATIONS, 1991

I, BERTIE AHERN, T.D., Minister for Labour, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by sections 5 , 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 , 16 , 18 and 22 of the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Act, 1987 (No. 18 of 1987), and the Schedule to that Act, after consultation with the Minister for Energy and after consultation with the Minister for Health and the Minister for the Environment insofar as these Regulations relate to the health of persons and to fire safety measures respectively and with the concurrence of the Minister for Communications, the Minister for the Marine, and the Minister for Tourism and Transport insofar as these Regulations relate to hovercraft, helicopters or other aircraft, vessels, radio facilities or radio services or to rescue facilities, hereby make the following regulations:

PART I Preliminary

1 Citation and commencement.

1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Operations) Regulations, 1991.

(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of May, 1991.

2 Interpretation.

2. In these Regulations:

"the Act of 1987" means the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Act, 1987 (No. 18 of 1987), as adapted by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 (No. 7 of 1989);

"approved languages" in relation to any information to be posted and displayed or any inscription means such language or languages or character or characters as are required to enable the information to be understood by all persons who may have need to refer to it;

"approved training" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 41 of these Regulations;

"the Authority" means the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health established pursuant to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 (No. 7 of 1989);

"electrical apparatus" includes any conductor, cable, circuit, equipment, machine, appliance or any part thereof, designed, installed or used for the generation, transmission, transformation, conversion, switching, control, programming, regulation, storage and distribution of electrical energy;

"harm" for the purpose of Regulation 14 of these Regulations means impairment of the hearing by exposure to noise;

"hazardous area" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 4 of these Regulations;

"helicopter landings officer" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 30 of these Regulations;

"lifting appliance" means any plant designed and used exclusively for the lifting, lowering, movement, support or suspension of persons, goods or materials and shall include a hoist or lift;

"lifting gear" includes chain slings and similar pieces of equipment, ropes used for tethering, raising, lowering, dragging, suspending, supporting and any ring, spreader beam, bar or frame, basket, cage, cradle, container, link, hook, plate clamp, shackle, swivel or eye bolt, twistlocs, patent clamp, clip, grip, wedge and socket and similarly functioning devices;

"maintained" means, except where the context otherwise requires, maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair;

"medical stores" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 38 of these Regulations;

"medically trained person" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 41 of these Regulations;

"micro-organism" includes any microscopic biological entity which is capable of replication;

"operations manual" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 4 of these Regulations;

"person trained in first aid" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 41 of these Regulations;

"plant" includes any appliance, work equipment or machine or any part thereof whether power driven or not and shall include, in particular, pressure systems, lifting appliances and gear and any other device, tool or artefact used in the performance of work;

"pipeline", notwithstanding the definition of pipeline in section 2 of the Act of 1987, means a pipe or system of pipes used for the conveyance of relevant fluid across the boundaries of offshore installations, together with any apparatus for inducing or facilitating the flow of relevant fluid through, or through a part of, the pipe or system, and any valves, valve chambers, pumps, compressors and similar works which are annexed to, or incorporated in the course of, the pipe or system;

"pipework" means a pipe or system of pipes together with associated valves, pumps, compressors and other pressure containing components and includes a hose or bellows but does not include a pipeline or any protective devices;

"pressure system" means—

( a ) a system comprising one or more pressure vessels of rigid construction, any associated pipework and protective devices,

( b ) the pipework with its protective devices to which a transportable gas container is, or is intended to be, connected, or

( c ) a pipeline and its protective devices,

which contains or is liable to contain a relevant fluid;

"protective devices" means devices designed to protect the pressure system against system failure and devices designed to give warning that system failure might occur, and includes bursting discs;

"radio operator" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 28 of these Regulations;

"radio room" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 27 of these Regulations;

"relevant fluid" means—

( a ) steam, or

( b ) any fluid or mixture of fluids which is at a pressure greater than 0.5 bar above atmospheric pressure;

"responsible person" means a person appointed by the installation manager to perform a specific function, to discharge a certain duty or to execute a particular task or series of tasks concerned with, relating to or impinging on the safe operation of the offshore installation, its plant, procedures, processes and the safety of all persons thereon;

"sick bay" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 38 of these Regulations;

"substance" includes any natural or artificial substance, preparation of agent in solid or liquid form or as a gas or vapour or as a micro-organism;

"training organisation" means the St. John Ambulance Brigade of Ireland, the Order of Malta Ambulance Corps, the Irish Red Cross Society, the Civil Defence, the Industrial First-Aid Training Organisation, the Irish Ambulance Rescue Training Services, the Ambulance Services Council, the National Industrial Fire and Safety Training Centre, or any other body or society recognised by the Authority for the purpose of Regulation 41 of these Regulations;

"work permit" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 5 of these Regulations;

"written instructions" has the meaning assigned to it by Regulation 15 of these Regulations.

3 Application.

3. These Regulations shall apply to offshore installations, on which persons are employed or on or from which person work, in waters to which the Act of 1987 applies, which are maintained, or intended to be established, for the exploration for or exploitation of minerals under the sea bed and shall include any installation providing accommodation for persons who are employed on or who work on or from any such offshore installation so engaged in exploration for or exploitation of minerals.

PART II Safety

4 Hazardous area.

4. (1) In respect of every offshore installation, there shall be a manual to be known and in these Regulations referred to as the "operations manual" which shall include drawings and such details as are necessary to locate and identify any part of the said installation in which there is likely to be a fire or explosion, to be known and in these Regulations referred to as a "hazardous area".

(2) The provision of accommodation for the rest and recreation of persons on an offshore installation shall not be permitted:

( a ) as part of a hazardous area; or

( b ) near a hazardous area unless a risk evaluation has been carried out and the related safety measures have been identified and implemented so as to ensure the safety of persons in such accommodation.

(3) Any door, hatch, cover or screen affording means of access to a hazardous area shall bear on its outward facing surfaces the inscription "HAZARDOUS AREA" in approved languages and in characters of such colour, shape and size so as to be clearly legible and easily visible by all persons in the vicinity.

(4) The concession owner or owner of an offshore installation shall give to the Authority a copy of the operations manual for the said installation when requested to do so by the Authority.

5 Work permits.

5. (1) Where on an offshore installation it is necessary to carry out any work which due to its location, nature or extent has a potential to cause danger to the said installation or any part thereof or to any person on the said installation, there shall be issued by the installation manager instructions in writing, to be known and in these Regulations referred to as a "work permit".

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) of this Regulation, an installation manager shall issue a work permit where the work to be carried out includes welding, flame cutting or work liable to generate a hot spot or be a source of ignition of any work where injurious or flammable gases, vapours or fumes may be present or generated.

(3) The installation manager shall specify on the work permit details of when the work may be done and the safety regime to be followed so as to prevent danger before and after the work is done and while the work is being done.

(4) The duration of a work permit shall cease no later than the end of the shift or the work period in which the permit is issued.

(5) For the period of its duration a copy of the work permit shall be prominently posted and displayed on a board specifically provided for the purpose which shall be positioned in a central location in the main office or control room and shall be accessible to those who have need to refer to it.

(6) The work permit shall be issued to a responsible person who shall have the duty of ensuring that the work concerned is carried out safely and in accordance with normal practice, as appropriate, and who, in particular, shall:

( a ) select the person to be in charge of the work, to be known and in these Regulations referred to as "the person in charge"; and

( b ) issue to the person in charge the work permit signed by him specifying—

(i) the name of the person in charge,

(ii) the work to be done,

(iii) a description of the safety precautions (if any) to allow the work to proceed safely,

(iv) any additional safety precautions to be taken during the work concerned,

(v) the equipment to be used and the clothing to be worn,

(vi) subject to paragraph (4) of this Regulation, the duration of the work permit, and

(vii) any other relevant matter.

(7) The person in charge shall:

( a ) on completion of the work or on cessation of the work, as the case may be, certify in writing on the work permit—

(i) that the work concerned has been completed or has ceased without completion (as the case may be), and

(ii) that the workplace, process or equipment has been left in a safe state; and

( b ) return the work permit so certified to the responsible person.

(8) On return of the work permit, the responsible person shall satisfy himself that the work concerned has been performed satisfactorily and that the workplace, process or equipment, as the case may be, has been left in a safe state.

(9) At the end of each shift or work period or at any appropriate earlier time:

( a ) in the case where the work concerned has been completed, the responsible person shall sign the work permit indicating that the said work to be done has been completed satisfactorily and return the work permit to the installation manager; or

( b ) in the case where the work concerned has not been completed, the responsible person shall sign the work permit and return it to the installation manager giving the reasons why the work has not been completed.

(10) A work permit signed by a responsible person pursuant to paragraph (9) of this Regulation shall advise the installation manager as to whether or not normal operations can be resumed.

(11) On receipt of the work permit pursuant to paragraph (9) of this Regulation, it shall be the duty of the installation manager to satisfy himself that normal operations can be resumed and the work permit shall be countersigned by him indicating that he is so satisfied before normal operations resume.

(12) Each work permit issued pursuant to this Regulation shall be kept for a period of two years.

6 Dangerous substances.

6. (1) The operations manual shall include drawings and such details as are necessary to locate and identify every place on or in an offshore installation wherein containers are provided for explosives or any of the substances which have the qualities or characteristics mentioned in section 21 (1) of the Act of 1987.

(2) Any door, hatch, cover or screen affording means of access to any place wherein any container is provided for explosives or any of the substances having the qualities or characteristics mentioned in section 21 (1) of the Act of 1987 shall bear on its outward facing surfaces the inscription "DANGER" in approved languages and in characters of such colour, shape and size so as to make the existence of a danger clear to all in the vicinity of such place.

7 Maintenance, examination and testing.

7. (1) A plan for the maintenance, examination and, as appropriate, testing of all parts of every offshore installation and its plant shall be prepared by the owner of such installation and be implemented and adhered to at all times and the said plan shall specify the nature and frequency of the examinations and tests to which the said installation and its plant are to be subjected.

(2) All work performed in pursuance of the plan to which paragraph (1) of this Regulation refers shall be under the charge of the installation manager and shall be either supervised or executed by a responsible person.

(3) A record of the work done shall be preserved by the installation manager on the offshore installation or such other place as may be agreed by the Authority for a period of two years and a note of the work done shall also be entered in the installation logbook.

(4) The provisions of paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall not be construed as being in substitution for any statutory examinations and testing in respect of any offshore installation or parts thereof or its plant.

(5) Any equipment on an offshore installation of the types specified in Column 1 of the First Schedule to these Regulations shall be examined and tested with the frequency specified in Column 2 of that Schedule.

(6) Where repairs affecting the safety of the offshore installation are deemed essential, following examination and testing, the responsible person shall notify, in writing, the installation manager who shall undertake the necessary remedial measures forthwith.

8 Independent examination of lifting applicances and lifting gear.

8. (1) The owner of each offshore installation shall ensure that each lifting applicance and all its fittings and attachments and each piece of lifting gear shall be subjected to an independent thorough examination and such tests as may be required by a competent person in any of the following circumstances:

( a ) after erection or provision on the offshore installation, as appropriate, and before being used for the first time;

( b ) following repair of defects affecting the continued safe working of the applicance, its fittings or attachments or the lifting gear and before being returned to service; and

( c ) at least once in every period of six months commencing on the day after the most recent examination at subparagraph (a) or (b) of this paragraph.

(2) A report of every independent examination of a lifting applicance and lifting gear pursuant to this Regulation shall be in the appropriate form prescribed in the Second Schedule to these Regulations: provided that a report of such examination carried out under related legislation in another jurisdiction and signed by the person who made the examination may be accepted by the Authority for the purposes of this paragraph in the case of an offshore installation which has been maintained in waters to which the Act of 1987 applies for a continuous period of less than six months.

(3) A copy of every report shall be sent to the owner of the offshore installation within fourteen days of the completion of the independent examinaiton by the competent person or, where the said person is an employee, by the employing company or association. The owner shall keep a copy of the report for inspection on the said installation or in another suitable place agreed by the Authority until such time as it is replaced by the report of the next succeeding examination or test for that particular lifting appliance or lifting gear. In the case of lifting gear when the date of the most recent examination can be readily identified by the use of a scheme of colour coding, the report need not be kept on the said installation.

(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Regulation, the competent person making the report of the independent examination or where the said person is an employee, the employing company or association, shall send to the Authority within fourteen days of completion of the examination, a copy of the report in every case where the examination reveals any defect affecting the continued safe working of the lifting applicance or lifting gear.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4) of this Regulation, whenever an independent examination of lifting applicance and lifting gear pursuant to this Regulation reveals any defect affecting the continued safe working of a lifting applicance or lifting gear, the competent person who made the examination, before leaving the offshore installation, shall notify the installation manager, forthwith in writing, specifying:

( a ) the location, nature and extent of any defect;

( b ) the remedial action required to return the plant safetly to service; and

( c ) the date after which the plant shall not be used if the remedial action specified in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph is not completed.

(6) When the owner of the offshore installation receives a copy of the report of an independent examination of lifting applicance and lifting gear specified in paragraph (3) of this Regulation he shall notify the Authority, in writing and within fourteen days, in each case where that report has revealed defects affecting the continued safe working of the lifting applicance and lifting gear either:

( a ) that the repairs specified have been completed and the lifting applicance or lifting gear has been returned to service, or

( b ) that the lifting applicance or lifting gear has been withdrawn from service and the repairs specified are in the course of being executed.

(7) Where the report of any independent examination pursuant to this Regulation specifies conditions for securing the safe working of any lifting applicance and lifting gear, such lifting applicance and lifting gear shall not be used except in accordance with those conditions.

9 Scheme of independent examination of pressure systems.

9. (1) The owner of each offshore installation shall not operate a pressure system or allow it to be operated unless he has a written scheme for the periodic independent examination, by a competent person, of the following parts of the system:

( a ) all protective devices;

( b ) every pressure vessel and every pipeline in which (in either case) a defect may give rise to danger; and

( c ) those parts of the pipeline in which a defect may give rise to danger,

and the parts of the system, specified in subparagraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this paragraph, shall be identified in the scheme.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3) of this Regulation, the owner of the installation shall ensure that:

( a ) the said scheme has been drawn up, or has been certified as being suitable, by a competent person; and

( b ) the content of the scheme—

(i) is reviewed by appropriate intervals by a competent person for the purpose of determining whether it is suitable in current conditions of use in connection with the system, and

(ii) is modified in accordance with any recommendations made by a competent person arising out of a review pursuant to subparagraph (b) (i) of this paragraph.

(3) A competent person shall not draw up or certify a scheme of independent examination pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (2) of this Regulation unless the scheme:

( a ) subject to paragraph (11) of this Regulation, specifies the nature and frequency of such examination;

( b ) specifies any measures necessary to prepare the pressure system for safe examination other than those it would be reasonable to expect the owner to take without specialist advice; and

( c ) provides for an examination to be carried out before the pressure system is used on the offshore installation for the first time.

(4) References in paragraphs (2) and (3) and subparagraph (g) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation as to the suitability of the scheme are references to its suitability for the purposes of preventing danger from those parts of the pressure system included in the scheme.

(5) The owner of an offshore installation shall:

( a ) ensure that those parts of the pressure system included in the scheme of independent examination are subject to independent examination by a competent person within the intervals specified in the scheme and before the system is used for the first time; and

( b ) before each independent examination take all appropriate safety measures to prepare the system for examination, including such measures as are specified in the scheme of independent examination pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) of this Regulation.

(6) Where a competent person undertakes an independent examination provided for in subparagraph (a) of paragraph (5) of this Regulation, he shall carry out that examination properly and in accordance with the scheme of independent examination.

(7) Where a competent person has carried out an independent examination for the purposes of paragraph (5) of this Regulation, he shall make a written report of the examination and send it to the owner of the offshore installation and the said report shall be so sent as soon as practicable after completion of the examination and, in any event, to arrive:

( a ) within twenty-eight days of the completion of the examination; or

( b ) before the date specified in the report pursuant to subparagraph )e) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation;

whichever is the sooner.

(8) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (7) of this Regulation, the competent person making the report of the independent examination shall send to the Authority within fourteen days of completion of the examination, a copy of the report in every case where the examination reveals any defect affecting the continued safe working of the pressure system.

(9) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (7) and (8) of this Regulation, whenever an independent examination of a pressure system pursuant to this Regulation reveals any defect affecting the continued safe working of the pressure system, the competent person who made the examination, before leaving the offshore installation, shall notify the installation manager, forthwith in writing, specifying:

( a ) the location, nature and extent of defects;

( b ) the remedial action required to return the pressure system safely to service; and

( c ) the date after which the pressure system shall not be used if the remedial action specified in subparagraph (b) of this paragraph is not completed.

(10) The report required pursuant to paragraph (7) of this Regulation shall:

( a ) state the name or designation of the offshore installation;

( b ) state the name and address of the owner of the said installation;

( c ) state with appropriate identification, which parts of the pressure system have been examined, the condition of those parts and the results of the examination;

( d ) state the design pressure and temperature and the maximum permissible working pressure;

( e ) specify any repairs or modifications to, or change in the established safe operating limits of, the parts examined which, in the opinion of the competent person, are necessary to prevent danger or to ensure the continued effective working of the protective devices, and specify the date by which any such repairs or modifications must be completed or any such changes to the safe operating limits must be made;

( f ) subject to paragraph (11) and (13) of this Regulation, specify the date within the limits set by the scheme of independent examination after which the pressure system may not be operated without a further examination under the scheme of independent examination;

( g ) without prejudice to the requirement for a review at appropriate intervals of the scheme of independent examination provided pursuant to subparagraph (b) of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, state whether in the opinion of the competent person the scheme of independent examination is suitable or should be modified, and if the latter, state the reasons;

( h ) state any other observations as may be considered necessary;

( i ) state the date of the current examination;

( j ) state the name, address and qualifications of the competent person carrying out the examination and the name and address of the employing company or association;

( k ) be signed by the competent person; and

( l ) state the date of the report.

(11) Pursuant to subparagraph (a) of paragraph (3) and subparagraph (f) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation, the maximum period between each independent examination of a pressure system generally may not exceed:

( a ) one year in the case of a steam boiler, superheater or economiser;

( b ) two years in the case of an air receiver or steam receiver; and

( c ) four years in the case of other pressure systems.

(12) The owner of an offshore installation whose pressure system has been examined pursuant to this Regulation shall ensure that the system is not operated after:

( a ) the date specified pursuant to subparagraph (e) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation unless the repairs or modifications specified under that paragraph have been completed, or the changes in the established safe operating limits so specified have been made; or

( b ) the date specified pursuant to subparagraph (f) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation (or, if that date has been postponed pursuant to paragraph (13) of this Regulation, the later date) unless a further examination has been carried out under the scheme of independent examination.

(13) The date specified in a report pursuant to subparagraph (f) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation may be postponed to a later date by agreement in writing between the competent person who made the report and the owner of the offshore installation, provided:

( a ) such postponement does not give rise to danger;

( b ) only one such postponement is made of any particular examination; and

( c ) a copy of the agreement to such postponement is sent to the Authority by the owner of the offshore installation before the date specified in the report pursuant to subparagraph ( f ) of paragraph (10) of this Regulation.

(14) The owner of an offshore installation shall keep the following documents of copies thereof:

( a ) the written scheme drawn up pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Regulation including any certification thereof;

( b ) the most recent report relating to the system made by the competent person pursuant to paragraph (7) of this Regulation;

( c ) any previous reports if they contain information which will materially assist in assessing whether—

(i) the system is safe to operate, or

(ii) any repairs or modifications to the system can be carried out safely;

( d ) all documents concerning design, construction, examination, operation and maintenance which relate to those parts of the pressure system included in the scheme of independent examination; and

( e ) any agreement made pursuant to paragraph (13) of this Regulation.

(15) The documents required to be kept by this Regulation shall be kept readily available for inspection on the offshore installation or in another suitable place agreed by the Authority.

(16) Where there is a change in ownership of an offshore installation, the previous owner shall as soon as is practicable give to the new owner all documents (relating to the system or part thereof, as the case may be) kept by him pursuant to this Regulation, or copies thereof.

(17) Details of the staff, specialist services and organisation required to perform the function of competent person pursuant to this Regulation are set out in the Third Schedule to these Regulations and are based on the division of pressure systems into three categories as follows:

( a ) minor systems, that is to say, those that include those containing steam, pressurised hot water, compressed air, inert gases or fluorocarbon refrigerants which are small and present few engineering problems. The pressure should be less than 20 bar above atmospheric pressure (except for systems with a direct-fired heat source when it should be less than 2 bar). The pressure-volume product for the largest vessel should be less than 2 x 10⁵ bar litres. The temperatures in the system should be between -20°°C and 250°C except in the case of smaller refrigeration systems operating at lower temperatures which will also fall into this category. No pipelines may be included in this category;

( b ) intermediate systems, that is to say, those that include the majority of storage systems and process systems which do not fall into either of the other two categories. Pipelines are included in this category; and

( c ) major systems, that is to say, those that because of size, complexity or hazardous contents require the highest level of expertise in determining their condition and include steam generating systems where the individual capacities of the steam generators are more than 10 MW, any pressure storage system where the pressure-volume product for the largest pressure vessel is more than 10⁶ bar litres and any manufacturing or chemical reaction system where the pressure-volume product for the largest pressure vessel is more than 10⁵ bar litres.

10 Miscellaneous powers and competent persons.

10. (1) If the Authority is not satisfied as to the competence of the competent person employed to carry out any of the tasks undertaken pursuant to Regulations 8 and 9 of these Regulations or as to the thoroughness with which such tasks were undertaken, the Authority may require any such task to be repeated by a person nominated by it.

(2) The installation manager, the concession owner and the owner shall give the necessary facilities for the repeat of any task required to be repeated pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation.

(3) If, as a result of the repeat of any task pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation, it appears to the Authority that the original task was undertaken in an inadequate or inaccurate manner in any material respect, the cost of repeating the task shall be recoverable from the concession owner or owner as a simple contract debt in any court of competent jurisdiction, and the report of the repeat of such task purporting to be signed by the person making it, shall be admissible in evidence of the facts stated therein.

(4) A competent person shall not be employed to conduct:

( a ) an independent examination of a lifting appliance and lifting gear;

( b ) the drawing up or certification or a written scheme for the periodic independent examination of a pressure system; or

( c ) an independent examination of a pressure system;

if he is the concession owner or owner or an employee of either of them.

11 Emergency power supply.

11. (1) There shall be provided and maintained at all times on every offshore installation an emergency power supply system which shall:

( a ) be independent of, and separate from, the primary power supply system;

( b ) be capable of generating and delivering at all times sufficient power to allow the retention and operation of essential services in an emergency;

( c ) cut in automatically and function selectively in the event of a primary power supply system failure; and

( d ) incorporate in its operation sufficient and suitable devices which shall function automatically to prevent such leakage from the system as would be likely to cause danger to any person.

(2) The distribution network of the emergency power supply system shall be designed and installed, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent a fire in any part of the offshore installation from rendering inoperative all power sources.

12 Heating and lighting.

12. (1) There shall be provided and maintained on every offshore installation a suitable and efficient heating system which shall be capable of ensuring, at all times, an adequate and suitable temperature in all appropriate parts of the said installation, having regard to the nature and extent of any activity being carried on therein and which shall incorporate in its design, construction, installation and use such features as shall:

( a ) maintain a minimum temperature of 20 degrees celsius under all weather conditions in all sleeping, dining, washing, rest and recreational quarters, and

( b ) prevent entry into the system of any gas, fume, dust or impurity likely to be either injurious or offensive to any person on the offshore installation.

(2) There shall be provided and maintained at all times on every offshore installation two separate and independent systems of lighting, each of which, operating alone, shall be capable of providing and maintaining sufficient and suitable lighting in every part of the said installation for its plant, persons, procedures and processes.

13 Ventilation.

13. There shall be provided and maintained on every offshore installation a suitable and efficient ventilation system which shall be capable of ensuring, at all times, an adequate and dependable supply of clean fresh air in all appropriate parts of the said installation and which shall incorporate in its design, construction, installation and use such features as shall:

( a ) prevent entry into the system of any gas, fume, dust or impurity likely to be either injurious of offensive to any person;

( b ) discharge directly to the outside atmosphere through separate ducts, each ventilating exhaust from sick bay, toilets, kitchens and wash-rooms; and

( c ) prevent any injurious, offensive or unsolicited draughts.

14 Noise.

14. (1) Any door, hatch, cover or screen affording means of access to any place on an offshore installation where persons are employed or working and in which:

( a ) the sound pressure level is likely to exceed 85dB(A); or

( b ) the maximum value of the unweighted instantaneous sound pressure is likely to be greater than 200 Pa,

shall bear on its outward facing surfaces the inscription "WARNING — NOISE LEVEL HIGH" in approved languages and in characters of such colour, shape and size so as to be clearly legible and easily visible by all persons in the vicinity.

(2) No person on an offshore installation shall be exposed to a sound pressure level of such intensity and duration as is likely to cause harm to that person.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of paragraph (2) of this Regulation, no person shall be exposed to sound pressure levels in excess of 85dB (A) or a maximum value of the unweighted instantaneous sound pressure greater than 200 Pa unless, either:

( a ) the intensity and duration of the sound pressure level are controlled sufficiently to abate, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of harm; or

( b ) adequate and suitable ear protection is provided, worn and used at all times.

(4) This Regulation shall be in addition to and not in substitution for the European Communities (Protection of Workers) (Exposure to Noise) Regulations, 1990 ( S.I. No. 157 of 1990 ).

15 Written instructions.

15. (1) The owner of an offshore installation shall provide in writing in respect of the said installation a system of practices and procedures, to be known and in these Regulations referred to as "written instructions", to be pursued for the safety of the said installation, its persons, plant and processes.

(2) The written instructions referred to in paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall provide for matters set out in the Fourth Schedule to these Regulations.

(3) The owner of an offshore installation shall supply to the Minister for Tourism and Transport a copy of the written instructions, insofar as they relate to helicopter operations, either before commencement of exploration for or exploitation of minerals, in waters to which the Act applies, or as soon as possible thereafter: provided that in the case of any such installation which has commenced such exploration or exploitation before the date of coming into operation of this Regulation, the written instructions shall be so supplied on the said date or as soon as possible thereafter.

(4) When requested by the Authority to do so, the owner of an offshore installation shall supply to the Authority, for retention by it, a copy of the written instructions.

(5) The Authority may require the owner of an offshore installation to make any change or changes in the contents of the written instructions.

(6) Notice of any change of changes deemed necessary by the Authority shall be served in writing on the owner in accordance with section 7 of the Act of 1987 and the reason or reasons therefor shall be stated and the date from which such change or changes shall be made shall be specified.

(7) The installation manager shall ensure that every person on the offshore installation is conversant with the written instructions insofar as they relate to the duties assigned to that person.

16 Movement of offshore installations.

16. (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this Regulation, no person shall be permitted on an offshore installation or any part thereof during any operation for installing, raising, lowering or dismantling the said installation, unless the person is essential to such operation or has the written permission of the installation manager.

(2) This Regulation shall not apply to an inspector.

17 Safety of plant and electrical apparatus.

17. (1) There shall be provided and maintained on every offshore installation at all times such plant and electrical apparatus as is applicable to the said installation in accordance with the written instructions.

(2) No person, other than a responsible person or a person under adequate supervision by a responsible person, shall conduct any examination or test on electrical apparatus.

(3) Electrical apparatus not intended for use as part of the electrical apparatus of the offshore installation shall be brought aboard only with the written permission of the installation manager.

18 General construction of electrical apparatus.

18. (1) All electrical apparatus on an offshore installation shall be sufficient in size and power for the work for which it is intended to be used and shall be designed, constructed, installed, maintained, protected and used so as to prevent danger. Where such apparatus is deemed by the Authority to be sufficiently defective in any manner as to cause danger it shall be forthwith put in good order or withdrawn from service.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1) of this Regulation, every part of any offshore installation, in which are present or are likely to be present during normal operations or during an emergency any flammable liquids, flammable or explosive gases, fumes or vapours shall be classified by the owner.

(3) In the case of offshore installations maintained or intended to be established for exploitation of minerals, classification shall be in accordance with the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland "National Rules for Electrical Installations in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres" and the associated guide to the selection of electrical apparatus for use in potentially explosive atmosphere (Guide G6) (both as amended or replaced from time to time whether before or after the commencement of these Regulations).

(4) In the case of offshore installations, other than those to which paragraph (3) of this Regulation refers, classification shall be in accordance either with the above named national rules and associated guide or with the American Petroleum Institute "Recommended Practice for Classification of Areas for Electrical Installations at Drilling Rigs and Production Facilities on Land and on Marine Fixed and Mobile Platforms (API RP 500B)" (as amended or replaced from time to time whether before or after the commencement of these Regulations).

(5) No electrical equipment installed in areas classified in accordance with paragraphs (3) and (4) of this Regulation shall be of such specification as to be likely to cause danger to any person on the offshore installation.

(6) There shall be kept on every offshore installation evidence (including documents) in respect of every piece of electrical equipment which shall indicate that the equipment is appropriate for use in any of the classified areas in which it is in use.

(7) The evidence (including documents) shall be made available to an inspector on his request.

19 Dangerous parts of machinery.

19. (1) Every dangerous part of any machinery or work equipment shall be securely fenced unless it is in such a position on an offshore installation or of such construction as to be as safe to every person on the said installation as it would be if securely fenced.

(2) Insofar as the safety of a dangerous part of any machinery cannot by reason of the nature of the operation be secured by means of a fixed guard, the requirements of paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall be deemed to have been complied with if:

( a ) a device is provided which automatically prevents the operator from coming into contact with that part; or

( b ) in the case of a rotating drill pipe, all reasonably practicable precautions are taken to ensure the safety of persons.

20 Power isolation.

20. Every switch, which is not capable of operating under load, shall be:

( a ) key interlocked; or

( b ) mechanically interlocked; or

( c ) electrically interlocked.

21 Removal of machinery guards.

21. Without prejudice to the provisions of Regulation 19 of these Regulations, where for testing, adjustment, lubrication, examination or inspection, any dangerous part of any machinery or work equipment is necessarily exposed in motion or use by removal of a guard or any part of it, it shall be the duty of a responsible person to ensure that measures are taken so far as is reasonably practicable to prevent danger to all persons and these measures shall include the provision of skilled personnel and suitable equipment, as the circumstances of the case may require.

22 Marking of lifting applicances and lifting gear.

22. (1) Each lifting applicance and all its fittings and attachments and every piece of lifting gear used or forming part of the work equipment of an offshore installation shall be plainly marked with the safe working load or loads as contained in the current report of an independent examination of that lifting applicance and lifting gear. In the case of a jib crane so constructed that the safe working load may be varied by the raising or lowering of the jib, there shall be attached thereto an automatic indicator showing the safe working loads at corresponding inclinations of the jib or corresponding radii of the load.

(2) No lifting applicance or piece of lifting gear shall be loaded beyond its safe working load, except for the purposes of examination and test by a competent person.

(3) In the case of a multiple sling, a table showing the safe working load at different angles of the legs shall be displayed and posted in a store, on a rack or in some other suitable place on the offshore installation and the table shall be in the form set out in the Fifth Schedule to these Regulations.

23 General safety of workplaces.

23. (1) There shall be provided and maintained safe means of access to and egress from every place on an offshore installation to which any person has reason to go and all floors, decks, walkaways, platforms, stair landings and steps shall have a non-slip surface. Self-draining gratings shall be utilized so far as is reasonably practicable to prevent accumulations of oil, mud or other spillages in working areas.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Regulation:

( a ) all scaffolding used on an offshore installation shall be secured against accidental displacement;

( b ) every ladder shall be so fixed as to have equal and proper support on each side or stile and be secured to prevent slipping;

( c ) where a person can fall into the sea or a distance of more than 2 metres from a place of work on an offshore installation or from a place where a person has reason to go thereon, there shall be provided and maintained a working platform or walkway, each of which shall be at least 0.65 metres wide and shall be securely fastened to transoms or frames, ledgers, standards or uprights or otherwise suitably protected against accidential movement or displacement. Each working platform or walkway shall be provided, so far as is reasonably practicable, with a suitable toe-board at least 150 mm high and with suitable guard rails of adequate strength consisting of at least two levels so disposed that the highest level shall not be more than 1.2 metres and not less than 0.95 metres above the toe-board and the distance between the highest level and any intermediary level shall be not more than 0.43 metres and not less than 0.41 metres;

( d ) where it is not reasonably practicable to comply with the provisions of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph, there shall be provided and maintained a suitable safety net or nets of such design and construction as shall safely arrest the fall of any person into the sea or a distance or more than 2 metres from a place of work on an offshore installation or from a place where a person has reason to go thereon;

( e ) where the provision of guard rails or a safety net is not reasonably practicable to secure the safety of a person liable to fall into the sea or a distance of more than 2 metres from a place of work on an offshore installation or from a place where a person has reason to go thereon, that person shall be provided with and shall use a suitable safety harness or other suitable and sufficient safety equipment of such design and construction as shall preclude risk of serious bodily injury to that person in the event of falling; and

( f ) where, on or contiguous to any place on an offshore installations to which any person has reason to go, there is water into which such a person is liable to fall with risk of drowning, that person shall be provided with and shall use a suitable life jacket and measures shall be available for his prompt rescue.

24 Cold store or chamber.

24. Without prejudice to the generality of Regulation 23 of these Regulations and as a safeguard against any person being locked inside, every cold store or cold chamber on an offshore installation shall be fitted with either:

( a ) a door that can be unlocked and opened by any person inside the store or chamber, and an alarm that can be so activated by any person inside the store or chamber that its signals will be widely heard and seen outside the store or chamber; or

( b ) a suitably constructed crash or collapsible panel capable of being used by any person trapped inside the store or chamber as a means of escape to the outside.

25 Drilling and production safety.

25. The provisions set out in the Sixth Schedule to these Regulations shall apply to all offshore installations.

26 Personal protective equipment.

26. (1) Without prejudice to the generality of section 18 (1) and pursuant to sections 18 (2) and 22 of the Act of 1987 suitable personal protective equipment to be provided shall include:

( a ) a safety helmet for every person;

( b ) breathing apparatus and respiratory devices suitable for use in a toxic, oxygen deficient or similar ambience; and

( c ) a sufficient quantity of eye protectors, ear protectors, welding masks and related personal accessories, gloves, coveralls, overalls, safety shoes or boots.

(2) Each item of equipment provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall be capable of protecting the user against any danger arising in relation to his work against which the item is intended as a protection.

27 Signalling equipment.

27. (1) There shall be provided and maintained on every offshore installation suitable signalling equipment, of a type approved by the Minister for Communications, which shall ensure effective radio communications on channels approved by the Minister for Communications:

( a ) between the offshore installation and coastal radio stations; and

( b ) between the offshore installation and vessels, helicopters and other aircraft, and other offshore installations.

(2) In addition to the equipment to be provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation, there shall be provided and maintained at all times on every offshore installation an independent and separate means of maintaining effective communication in accordance with the provisions of subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph (1) of this Regulation.

(3) The signalling equipment provided pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Regulation shall be installed in a separate room or building, to be known and referred to in these Regulations as the "radio room", which shall be adequately appointed for the use of the signaling equipment operator, to be known and referred to in these Regulations as the "radio operator".

(4) No radio room shall be installed in, at or contiguous to a hazardous area.

(5) The radio room shall be so situated as shall enable the radio operator in the radio room during helicopter operations to have either:

( a ) a clear unobstructed view of the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area; or

( b ) effective oral communication with the helicopter landings officer who shall have a clear and unobstructed view of the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area.

(6) An instruction card in approved languages containing a clear and precise summary of the distress, emergency and safety procedures to be followed, including procedures for the transmission of distress, urgency and safety signals, shall be permanently and prominently posted and displayed in the radio room of the offshore installation.

28 Radio operators.

28. There shall be present on every offshore installation at all times at least one proficient radio operator who shall be the holder of a certificate of competency approved of or issued by the Minister for Communications and valid for the operation of the signaling equipment provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of Regulation 27 of these Regulations.

29 Operational information.

29. Suitable means shall be provided and maintained on every offshore installation for determining at any time and recording:

( a ) wind speed and direction;

( b ) visibility;

( c ) weather;

( d ) cloud amount, type and height of base;

( e ) air temperature, dew point temperature;

( f ) barometric pressure;

( g ) prevailing sea state; and

( h ) roll, pitch, heave, yaw and heading of the offshore installation, where applicable.

30 Helicopter landings officer.

30. (1) Helicopter operations shall be prohibited on an offshore installation unless there is:

( a ) present at all times on the said installation a person, to be known and in these Regulations referred to as a "helicopter landings officer", who shall be responsible for the control of helicopter operations on the said installation; and

( b ) a suitable helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area provided.

(2) The helicopter landings officer shall be appointed in writing by the installation manager.

(3) The installation manager shall ensure that all persons at, on or near any helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area are subordinate to the control and management of the helicopter landings officer during helicopter operations.

31 Helicopter operations.

31. (1) A helicopter shall not depart for or return from any offshore installation unless radio communication has been confirmed between the said installation's radio operator and the heliport's duty officer or airport air traffic control duty officer advising of the imminent departure for or return from the said installation of the helicopter.

(2) A helicopter shall not land on or take off from any offshore installation unless radio communication has been confirmed between the helicopter and the said installation. In the event that normal means of communication fail, other means of communication such as flashing lights or flag signals may be used, exceptionally, for the purposes of this Regulation.

(3) Radio communication shall be maintained at all times between the offshore installation and any incoming helicopter until after the helicopter engine is shut down on the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area on the said installation.

(4) Where the installation manager has granted permission for landing on the offshore installation to a helicopter he shall, when requested by the helicopter pilot, furnish to him all operational information as set out in Regulation 29 of these Regulations in respect of the ten minute period immediately prior to the helicopter's estimated time of arrival on the said installation.

(5) When requested to do so by a helicopter pilot who is on the offshore installation, the installation manager shall furnish to him all operational information as set out in Regulation 29 of these Regulations in respect of the ten minute period immediately prior to the helicopter's estimated time of departure from the said installation.

(6) So far as is reasonably practicable, no helicopter shall land on or take off from any unmanned offshore installation unless radio contact has been confirmed in each instance between the helicopter and the nearest manned offshore installation or coastal radio station.

(7) There shall be provided and maintained at all times in the vicinity of the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area adequate rescue and fire fighting equipment and services for use in an emergency relating to helicopter operations.

(8) There shall be provided and maintained at all times on every offshore installation on which helicopter operations are not prohibited all equipment required for helicopter operations, including:

( a ) chocks and tie ropes;

( b ) suitable weighing scales;

( c ) a suitable power source for starting helicopters; and

( d ) apparatus for removing snow and ice.

(9) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (7) of this Regulation, there shall be provided and maintained at all times on every offshore installation on which helicopter operations are not prohibited a suitably constructed container sited in the immediate vicinity of the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area in which shall be stored all equipment required for use in the event of a helicopter accident including:

( a ) an aircraft-type axe;

( b ) a large axe;

( c ) a heavy duty hacksaw and blade;

( d ) two spare hacksaw blades;

( e ) a grab hook;

( f ) a quick release knife or jemmy;

( g ) a crowbar;

( h ) a pair of 610mm (24") bolt croppers; and

( i ) personal protective equipment suitable for use and capable of withstanding heat in a fire-fighting situation.

(10) There shall be provided and maintained at all times on every offshore installation on which helicopter operations are not prohibited which is situated more than fifty nautical miles offshore:

( a ) an adequate supply of helicopter fuel to enable a helicopter to be flown from the installation to a landing place ashore; and

( b ) safe and efficient equipment for refuelling a helicopter on the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area and for determining the quality of the helicopter fuel.

(11) The helicopter landings officer shall report the details in writing to the installation manager as soon as any deficiencies or shortages arise, or replacements or repairs are needed in respect of any of the items mentioned in paragraphs (7), (8), (9) and (10) of this Regulation.

32 Helicopter movements.

32. (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (1) of Regulation 40 and paragraph (1) of Regulation 42 of these Regulations, it shall be the duty of the helicopter landings officer to ensure compliance with the written instructions concerning helicopter operations provided in accordance with paragraph 6 of the Fourth Schedule to these Regulations. The helicopter landings officer shall ensure, before any helicopter lands on or takes off from the offshore installation, that:

( a ) the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area is free of all obstructions including:

(i) any ice, snow, heavy spray or seas,

(ii) loose tools, gear or machinery, and

(iii) oil, gas or any flammable substance;

( b ) all cranes in the immediate vicinity of the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area which may interfere with the movement of the helicopter have ceased to operate and their jibs have been moved to safe positions;

( c ) only persons whose presence is essential to the safe discharge of helicopter operations are on or about the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area;

( d ) the fire-fighting and rescue equipment is adequately maintained and is manned by trained persons;

( e ) the stand-by vessel provided pursuant to Regulation 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Emergency Procedures) Regulations, 1991 ( S.I. No. 14 of 1991 ) has been alerted that helicopter operations are pending; and

( f ) safety nets and screens on and around the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area are secured.

(2) Whenever a helicopter is in a stationary position on the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area and has its rotors running, no person other than those referred to at subparagraph (c) of paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall move onto or about the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area except in front of the helicopter, in clear view of the helicopter pilot and at a safe distance from the helicopter's exhaust and tail rotor.

33 Vessels, helicopters, hovercraft.

33. The master, captain or person in charge shall not cause or permit any vessel, helicopter, hovercraft, jetfoil or any other type of vessel for which he is responsible to come alongside or be moored to or land on an offshore installation or cause or permit any person to board the said installation without the permission of the installation manager.

34 Lifting of loads.

34. No person employed on an offshore installation shall be permitted manually to lift, carry, move or manipulate any load in excess of that person's personal capacity.

PART III Notifiable Accidents

35 Notifiable accidents and other occurrences.

35. (1) Bodily injury which so incapacitates any person such that he is, or would be in the case of non-work days, unable to perform the normal duties of his employment for more than three consecutive days is prescribed for the purposes of section 27 of the Act of 1987.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 27 of the Act of 1987, on each occasion that any accident or other occurrence mentioned in paragraph (3) of this Regulation takes place or occurs on, in, at or about an offshore installation or which involves persons working on, at or from the said installation, the installation manager shall ensure that written notice of and details concerning the accident or other occurrence are sent forthwith to the Authority.

(3) The accidents or other occurrences to which paragraph (2) of this Regulation relate are the:

( a ) bursting of a revolving vessel, wheel, grindstone, or grinding wheel moved by mechanical power;

( b ) collapse or failure of any lifting appliance or lifting gear;

( c ) explosion or fire causing damage to any part of the offshore installation or to any plant thereon;

( d ) electrical short circuit, overload, or failure of electrical apparatus attended by explosion or fire causing structural damage thereto involving its stoppage or disuse;

( e ) distortion of any plant by overpressurisation or overloading;

( f ) the controlled or uncontrolled release or escape of any flammable liquid, flammable gas or substance into the working environment, living accommodation, atmosphere or sea which might be liable to cause any danger to the safety and health of persons employed.

(4) The notices of accidents or other occurrences required by section 27 (1) of the Act of 1987 and by paragraph (2) of this Regulation shall be in the form and contain the particulars prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to these Regulations.

(5) Where an accident or other occurrence which is noticeable under paragraph (2) of this Regulation occurs, the installation manager concerned shall make and sign an entry in the installation logbook of the following particulars, namely:

( a ) the date and time of the accident or other occurence;

( b ) the location of the offshore installation or the locality in which the said installation was situated at the time when the accident or other occurrence occurred in so far as, with reasonable diligence, such location or locality can be ascertained at the time the entry is made;

( c ) the place (on the offshore installation or elsewhere, as the case may be) where the accident or other occurrence occurred;

( d ) a description of the accident or other occurrence (including particulars of any operation in the course of which the accident occurred and any equipment in relation to the use of which the accident occurred);

( e ) a description of any damage sustained by the offshore installation concerned or by any vessel or by any equipment of any vessel involved in the accident or other occurrence, in so far as such damage can with reasonable diligence be ascertained, together with the name and port or place of registry of any such vessel;

( f ) the name and address of every witness to the accident or other occurrence and the name and address of his employer (if any) in so far as such particulars can be so ascertained; and

( g ) such other relevant particulars (if any) in so far as they can be ascertained.

PART IV Health

36 Drinking water.

36. (1) An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water shall be provided and maintained on every offshore installation at suitable points which shall be conveniently accessible to all persons and which shall be clearly marked by a notice bearing the inscription "DRINKING WATER" in approved languages.

(2) The supply of drinking water provided pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall have its purity certified at least once in every three months by a person employed by a Health Board as a Consultant Microbiologist or Regional Analyst or by a person with equivalent qualifications and facilities.

37 Provisions.

37. All provisions for consumption by persons on offshore installations shall be fit for human consumption.

38 Sick bay.

38. (1) There shall be provided and maintained in good order and condition in every offshore installation a suitable room for the provision of medical treatment, care and attention, to be known and in these Regulations referred to as the "sick bay", which shall be conveniently accessible to every person on the installation.

(2) The sick bay shall not be used for any purpose other than the medical treatment and care of sick or injured persons.

(3) The sick bay shall be suitably constructed and shall have such interior surfaces as can easily be maintained in a clean and proper state.

(4) Any door affording means of access to the sick bay shall have on its outward facing surfaces the inscription "SICK BAY" in approved languages and in characters of such colour, shape and size so as to be clearly legible and easily visible to all persons in the vicinity.

(5) The sick bay shall have in it or in accommodation immediately adjacent to it a bath and there shall also be provided in accommodation close to the sick bay, a toilet and wash-hand basin. There shall be provided and maintained an adequate supply of hot and cold water for the bath and wash-hand basin and of cold water for the toilet.

(6) In the sick bay there shall be provided and maintained at least such equipment, appliances, instruments, surgical dressings, first aid kit and quantities of medicines as are set out in the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations and certain items shall be packaged, labelled and stored as set out in that Schedule and all these items shall be known and referred to in these Regulations as "medical stores".

(7) The medicines specified in Part II and Part III of the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations shall each be kept in the sick bay in two separate secure locked containers.

(8) The keys to the container containing the medicines listed in Part II of the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations shall be in the possession at all times of the installation manager or a person appointed by him for that purpose and any person so appointed shall be a medically trained person or a person trained in first aid. This container shall not be opened except by the installation manager or a person so appointed.

(9) The keys to the container containing the medicines listed in Part III of the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations shall be in the possession at all times of the installation manager. The installation manager may supply these medicines to a medically trained person or a person trained in first aid who may administer them in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (11) of this Regulation.

(10) The medicines specified in Part II of the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations may be administered by a medically trained person or, in the event of there being no such person present on the offshore installation, by a person trained in first aid.

(11) The medicines specified in Part III of the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations may be administered only by, or in accordance with the directions of, a registered medical practitioner. Such directions may be by way of letter from a registered medical practitioner authorizing a medically trained person, who is not a registered medical practitioner, or a person trained in first aid to administer any or all of the medicines listed in Part III of that Schedule.

(12) A copy of the Eighth Schedule to these Regulations shall be prominently and permanently posted and displayed in the sick bay.

PART V Welfare

39 Hours of work.

39. The installation manager shall keep a written record in a separate book which shall be kept together with the installation logbook showing, in respect of each person employed on the offshore installation, the name of that person, that person's times of starting and stopping work each day and the total number of hours worked each day by that person and this record shall be kept available for inspection by an inspector.

PART VI Management

40 Operational Staff.

40. (1) There shall be present on every offshore installation a sufficient number of persons appointed by the installation manager to be responsible for the safety, management and control of:

( a ) the structure of the offshore installation;

( b ) the electrical apparatus used on the offshore installation;

( c ) the mechanical equipment used on the offshore installation;

( d ) lifting appliances and lifting gear;

( e ) pressure systems;

( f ) drilling operations;

( g ) production operations;

( h ) transporting, handling, manipulating and using any gas or other substance or preparation which is corrosive, oxidising, toxic, flammable, radioactive or explosive or any other dangerous substances; and

( i ) any unusual or other dangerous or potentially damaging operation, procedure or process.

(2) A list of all persons appointed and their assigned duties pursuant to paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall be posted and displayed in approved languages in such position on the offshore installation as to be clearly legible and easily visible by all persons thereon.

41 Medical staff.

41. (1) There shall be present at all times on every offshore installation a person trained in first aid and where the number of persons on the said installation is fifty or greater, there shall be present at all times a medically trained person who shall be assisted by a person trained in first aid. A further person trained in first aid shall be appointed to assist the medically trained person for every fifty persons on the said installation in excess of one hundred.

(2) In this Regulation "approved training" means training in the safe application and use of the equipment, appliances, instruments, first aid kit, medicines, surgical dressings and such other items as are contained in the medical stores, and in the treatment of injuries and illnesses common in the offshore environment.

(3) A "medically trained person" means a person who is:

( a ) a registered medical practioner who has received approved training;

( b ) a registered general nurse within the meaning of the Nurses Act, 1985 (No. 18 of 1985), who has received approved training;

( c ) a person who has been a two or three star orderly in the Medical Corps or a Sick Berth Attendant in the Naval Service (or whose qualifications in the armed services of another country are equivalent) and who has received approved training; or

( d ) the holder of any qualification which is equivalent to the requirement at subparagraph (b) of this paragraph, who has received approved training.

(4) A "person trained in first aid" means a person who holds a certificate of competence in first aid awarded within the previous three years by a training organisation.

PART VII General Duties and Prescribed Authority

42 General duties.

42. (1) It shall be the duty of the installation manager, the concession owner and the owner to secure compliance with the provisions of these Regulations.

(2) It shall be the duty of the employer of persons working on an offshore installation to secure compliance by each of his employees with any provision of these Regulations which relates to the said employees.

(3) The installation manager shall ensure also that there is posted and displayed in approved languages in a suitable position on the offshore installation a notice providing the address at which the inspectors may be contacted.

(4) The owner of an offshore installation shall provide, at any reasonable time, conveyance by helicopter, or other agreed means of transportation, to and from the said installation, for any inspector and any equipment necessarily required by him in the discharge of his duties thereon. In addition, the owner shall provide or arrange to provide the inspector with reasonable accommodation and means of subsistence while on, or in transit to or from, the said installation.

(5) Pursuant to section 7 (2) of the Act of 1987, every owner of an offshore installation shall supply to the Authority an address within the State for the service of any notice or document referred to in subsection (1) of that section.

43 Access to Regulations.

43. Copies of these Regulations or relevant extracts thereof, shall be kept on every offshore installation and shall be available for inspection at any reasonable time by all who need to refer to them.

44 Prescribed authority.

44. The Garda Síochána is hereby prescribed to be the authority in the State for the purposes of section 13 (5) (b) of the Act of 1987.

45 Translation of reports etc.

45. Every report, manual, work permit, scheme of independent examination and its certification and other documents provided to, or requested for inspection by, an inspector or the Authority shall be accompanied, except where provided or kept available in Irish or English, by a translation thereof into Irish or English.

FIRST SCHEDULE

Regulation 7 (5)

Frequency of Examination and Testing of Certain Equipment

SECOND SCHEDULE

Regulation 8 (2)

Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Operations)Regulations, 1991( S.I. No. 16 of 1991 )

Form OI. LA/LG

Form of Report of Independent Thorough Examination of Lifting Applicance or Lifting Gear

(See separate Form of Report for a hoist or lift)

Third Schedule

Regulation 9 (17)

Competent Person—Staff, Specialist Services and Organisation

Regulation 15 (2)

Fourth Schedule

Matters to be Provided for in Written Instructions

1. Drilling and Production Procedures

( a ) Drilling operations.

( b ) Workover operations.

( c ) Installation of blow-out preventers.

( d ) Well-head operations.

( e ) Gas venting.

( f ) Oil venting.

( g ) Formation testing.

( h ) Swabbing.

( i ) Plugging and abandonment procedures.

( j ) Transporting, storing, handling, manipulating and using acids, dangerous substances, radio-active sources and any other dangerous article or thing.

2. Electrical Procedures

( a ) Access by personal.

( b ) Additions or modifications to the electrical system.

( c ) Precautions required before and during the installation, use, repair and maintenance of the electrical system.

( d ) Use of protective and safety equipment.

( e ) Precautions required near bare conductor work.

( f ) Use of portable and transportable apparatus.

( g ) Treatment of electrical shock.

( h ) Computer hardware and software security.

3. Mechanical Procedures

( a ) General operational rules for plant.

( b ) Pressure system operations.

( c ) Operation of lifting appliances and lifting gear.

( d ) Use of compressed air.

( e ) Use of tools.

( f ) Welding and cutting rules and regulations.

4. Personnel Procedures

( a ) Use of protective clothing and equipment including high visibility clothing for use in connection with helicopter operations.

( b ) Exposed working conditions.

( c ) Personnel transfer to and from vessels, helicopters, hovercraft, or jet foils.

5. Installation Safety

( a ) Communication with coastal radio stations and attendant vessels.

( b ) Movement of the offshore installation to and form station.

( c ) Mooring of offshore installation.

( d ) Monitoring sea bed and related conditions.

( e ) Jacking, ballasting and deballasting.

( f ) Monitoring offshore installation accretions.

( g ) Maintenance of records affecting safety.

( h ) Movements of attendant vessels, helicopters, hovercraft or jet foils.

( i ) Transfer of equipment, materials and gear to and from vessels, helicopters, hovercraft or jet foils.

6. Helicopter Operations

( a ) Measurement and provision of the operational information set out in Regulation 29 of these Regulations.

( b ) Provision, as appropriate, of a windsock illuminated for night operations.

( c ) Communications between the offshore installation and helicopter.

( d ) Preparation of the helicopter deck or other helicopter landing area for arrivals and departures.

( e ) Procedures and precautions to be followed during helicopter operations.

( f ) Helicopter refuelling on the offshore installation, provided pursuant to Regulation 31 (10) of these Regulations.

( g ) Provision and manning by trained persons of the rescue and fire fighting equipment, provided pursuant to Regulation 31 (7) of these Regulations.

( h ) Alerting of the stand-by vessel, provided pursuant to Regulation 13 of the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Emergency Procedures) Regulations, 1991, ( S.I. No. 14 of 1991 ), that helicopter operations are pending.

Regulation 22 (3)

Fifth Schedule

Markings for Safe Working Loads for Multiple Slings

Every multiple sling shall carry a mark in at least one of the following forms:

Where 'x' is the safe working load (SWL) in metric tonnes or in short tons, as appropriate, for any angle between the relevant sling legs ("the included angle") up to a maximum of 90°.

The included angle means—

( a ) in the case of 2 legged slings, the angle between the legs,

( b ) in the case of 3 legged slings, the angle between any two adjacent legs,

( c ) in the case of 4 legged slings, the angle between any two diagonally opposite legs.

Regulation 25

Sixth Schedule

Provisions Relating to Drilling and Production Operations

Blow-out preventers, controls and accumulators

( a ) One set of controls for the blow-out preventers shall be installed near the driller's stand and another set of similar controls for use in an emergency shall be installed at a safe distance from the driller's stand.

( b ) Every accumulator shall be capable of maintaining a pressure capacity reserve at all times to provide for one operation of each set of hydraulic preventers and every pump and accumulator shall be capable of maintaining adequate accumulator pressure for repeated operations.

Stabbing boards and related equipment

The safety devices incorporated in every stabbing board and its attachments and actuating hoist shall be adequate to support a fully manned platform and where a hook is used for raising and lowering a stabbing board, the hook shall be clamped securely or alternatively fitted with a suitable and effective mechanism to prevent accidental disengagement.

Elevators

Every hook used for hoisting drill pipe, casing or tubing shall be provided with a suitable latch or other mechanism to prevent the elevator links or any other work equipment being detached from the hook.

Travelling block

An effective automatic device shall be provided and maintained for use with every derrick hoisting equipment to prevent running the travelling block into the crown block.

Drilling fluid

There shall be installed and maintained efficient equipment to alert the driller to the loss of fluid circulation and the equipment shall give audible and visual warning of such danger at the driller's stand.

Hydrogen sulphide

Where hydrogen sulphide is or may be present in drilling or production operations:

( a ) efficient and suitable means shall be provided and maintained and used continuously on every offshore installation for the detection and concentration measurement thereon of the gas and the equipment shall incorporate in its operation an instantaneous audible and visual alarm system, in addition to the general alarm system specified in Regulation 11 of the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations, 1991, ( S.I. No. 15 of 1991 ), and

( b ) an adequate number of sets of breathing apparatus suitable for the purposes of this provision shall be provided and maintained at all times at readily accessible places on the installation.

Pipe spinning

Spinning of drill pipe shall be effected so far as is reasonably practicable by the use of hydraulic/pneumatic equipment.

Regulation 35 (4)

Seventh Schedule

Notifiable Accidents and Other Occurrences

Regulation 38 (6)

Eighth Schedule

Medical Stores for Sick Bay

PART 1

Fittings, Furnishings and Equipment

(1) A sink with smooth impervious internal surfaces having a constant supply of hot and cold water.

(2) A suitable working surface with a smooth impervious top.

(3) A means of sterilising instruments.

(4) Suitable storage for medicines, dressings, and equipment.

(5) A bed or couch which can be approach from both sides.

(6) Sufficient and suitable stretchers, including at least one suitable for winching a sick or injured person into a helicopter or vessel and at least one collapsible stretcher suitable for use in confined spaces.

(7) Suitable and sufficient blankets.

(8) A footbath, or a basin or bowl suitable for use as a footbath.

Part II

Medicines which may be administered by a medically trained person or, in the event of there being no such person present on the offshore installation, by a person trained in first aid

Part III

Medicines which may be administered only by, or in accordance with the directions or, a registered medical practitioner

Surgical Dressings

Part V

Sundries

Part VI

Instruments and Appliances

Part VII

First Aid Kit

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 29th day of January, 1991.

BERTIE AHERN,

Minister for Labour.

The Minister for Communications concurs in the making of these Regulations.

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 22nd day of January, 1991.

RAY BURKE,

Minister for Communications.

The Minister for the Marine concurs in the making of these Regulations.

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 24th day of January, 1991.

JOHN P. WILSON,

Minister for the Marine.

The Minister for Tourism and Transport concurs in the making of these Regulations.

GIVEN under my Official Seal this 28th day of January, 1991.

SEAMUS BRENNAN,

Minister for Tourism and Transport.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

These Regulations prescribe operational measures to be taken for the protection of the safety, health and welfare of persons on specified offshore installations concerned with the exploration for, or exploitation of, minerals in waters to which the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Act, 1987 applies.