Health and Safety issues in the offshore industry – a precautionary tale

There have been significant improvements in health and safety in the offshore industry since the catastrophic Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, when an explosion and the resulting fire cost the lives of 167 workers. Despite these improvements, risks for the 20000 workforce in the offshore industry are still ever present - fire, explosion and infrastructure failure all have the potential to cause major loss of life.
News on Tuesday evening broke that offshore workers, based 120 miles offshore, had been helicoptered from a semi-submersible drilling rig following an engine fire.
In fact a total of 32 of the 87 personnel were taken off the Ocean Guardian, owned by Diamond Offshore, before the fire was brought under control. Fortunately no-one was injured.
"We have had a fire in the engine room," said a spokesman for Diamond. "As a precaution we began down-manning non-essential personnel."
A fire suppression system was activated when the fire broke out. Innovative water mist systems are in high regard in the industry and are becoming the sought after solution to fire on offshore installations.
With the geographically isolated workforce, as well as the inherent dangers in working offshore, the industry needs the best health and safety management. The quality of management that Diamond Offshore showed through their precautionary evacuation.