Sight translation. Offshore platform safety

Offshore platform safety

Offshore platforms are exposed to a unique combination of hazards. The key hazards include structural failures as a result of ship collision, severe weather, earthquake; falling objects; blowouts; fires and explosions.

The most hazardous operations offshore include drilling and diving. One aspect of drilling is the ever-present hazard of a well blowout. Construction operations also create hazards as they are performed in confined environment. Supplies of all kinds coming to the platform have to be lifted up by crane taking safety precautions. The accommodation is integral with the platform, therefore at all times personnel are at risk.

The hazards of the platform require a high level of readiness for the fire protection system and the emergency rescue evacuation system. The personnel are mostly contractors therefore effectiveness of operational activities and emergency systems depends on continuous training and drills.

Emergency plan for a given platform should cover not only that platform but also interconnected platforms. The plan should cover scenarios, which include shutdowns and fires/explosions on other platforms and should allow for loss of communication.

Larger platforms are assisted by smaller emergency support vessels, which are summoned when something has gone wrong, for example, when a search and rescue operation is required. During normal operations, platform supply vessels keep the platforms provisioned and supplied, and emergency support vessels can also supply them, as well as tow them to location and serve as standby rescue and firefighting vessels.