Norway: PSA Conducts Audit on Working Enviroment Conditions on West Elara Jack-Up

During the period 4-7 July 2011, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) conducted an audit of working environment conditions on the facility West Elara.

Background

The PSA’s activity was conducted as part of the processing of the company’s application for an Acknowledgement of Compliance (AoC). The facility will be used as a drilling facility for Statoil on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Objective

The objective of the audit activity was to verify that selected technical working environment-related factors on the facility were designed in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Result

The main impression is that Seadrill has largely set up suitable processes to follow up safeguarding of the working environment-related factors in various areas on the facility.

The project’s verification activities have resulted in the identification of a significant number of nonconformities in relation to the regulations’ working environment requirements, mostly due to deficient follow-up.

A lot of work remains as regards correction of nonconformities. PSA did note good management and status as regards correcting identified deficiencies.

During the audit, new nonconformities were identified in connection with:

• Working environment
• Emergency lighting
• Living quarter design
• Working environment conditions in the living quarters area
• Materials handling with trolleys
• Fork-lift route
• Access
• Backup system
• Work stations for cleaning and degreasing of facility parts
• Storage space for permanent personal protective equipment
• Conditions in the welding shop
• Ergonomic conditions in the laundry room
• Facilitation of the laundry room

Furthermore, potential improvements were identified in relation to:

• HMI conditions in control room CCR
• Storage space for chemicals and combustible liquids

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Source: PTIL, July 20, 2011; Image: Seadrill;