Offshore Advisory Committee to hold third open session in Aberdeen

Organisations and Associations - October 11, 2002

Anyone in the Aberdeen area interested in offshore health and safety will be able to quiz top industry experts on the subject when the Health & Safety Commission's (HSC's) Offshore Industry Advisory Committee (OIAC) holds its third open session for the public at Aberdeen Football Club on 16 October.

The session will be hosted by Stewart Campbell, HSE director for Scotland, and will feature presentations on key issues affecting offshore health and safety. The audience will also be invited to put questions to OIAC members and Health & Safety Executive(HSE) officials.

OIAC provides expert advice to the HSC on the full range of health and safety issues affecting Britain's offshore oil and gas industry. The committee is made up of representatives of the main employers' associations and trade unions.

Nick Starling, HSE director of safety policy and chair of OIAC, said: "We are extremely pleased to be holding OIAC's third open session in Aberdeen, our second visit to the city. Our last visit in 2000 was successful and well attended. I am sure that this year's will be even better.

"It is an exciting and demanding time for the industry. Now, more than ever, we need to build partnerships with all those within the industry who can help to improve health and safety standards. I am keen to see as many people as possible come along to this event to meet and question OIAC members. I especially welcome representatives of the industry, members of the workforce, safety representatives, managers, health and safety professionals and any members of the public with an interest in the industry."

The open session will take place on Wednesday, 16 October at 6.00 pm at Aberdeen Football Club, Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, AB24 5QH.

Anyone wishing to attend should contact: Jacqui Olusemo, SPD C3, HSE, 5th Floor South, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS (Tel: 020 7717 6730; Fax: 020 7717 6908; Email: jacqui.olusemo@hse.gsi.gov.uk. Interested parties are welcome to turn upon the day, though advance notice would be appreciated to help in organising sufficient seating.

The Government and HSC launched the 'Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy Document' on 7 June 2000. The ten-point strategy, supported by a 44-point action plan, announced tough targets for reducing work-related deaths, ill-health and injury in Britainover the next 10 years.

OIAC's terms of reference are to consider and advise HSC on the protection of people at work from hazards to health and safety arising from their occupation within the offshore oil and gas industry; and other associated matters referred to them by HSC orHSE.

The committee was constituted from 1 April 2000. It succeeded the former Oil Industry Advisory Committee, set up in 1978, which dealt with health and safety matters in both the onshore and offshore sectors of the oil industry.

This open session is part of the Government's 'QUANGOS - Opening the Doors' initiative, which is designed to open up the work of public bodies as part of the drive towards greater open government.

Current OIAC members are: Chair: Nick Starling: HSE; CBI nominees: Bob Kyle, Assistant Director Health and Safety, UK Offshore Operators' Association, Edmund J N Brookes, Manager, British Rig Owners' Association, Philip Ley, Manager, Health, Safety & Environment, Wood Group Engineering Ltd, Peter Reiss, HR Corporate Advisor, Shell UK Exploration and Production; TUC nominees: Mark Dickinson, Executive Officer, NUMAST, Roger Jeary, National Secretary, AMICUS-MSF , Fraser Adam, GMB, John Taylor, District Officer, TGWU, Steve Todd, District Organiser, RMT , Rab Wilson, Divisional Organiser, AMICUS-AEEU; Observers: CBI - James May, Director General, UKOOA, TUC - Larry Cairns, Policy Adviser/Co-ordinator, Offshore Health and Safety, DTI - Colin Weaver, Department of Trade & Industry, MCA - Cdr Robin Raphael, Marine Surveyor (Nautical), Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Institute of Petroleum - Dr Brian Abbott, Technical Director.