Both risk to people and the risk of acute discharges are covered by the RNNP project with the aim of achieving a more integrated picture of accident risk. This work contributes to a more unified understanding across companies, unions and government about trends in the risk level.
Where we in the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) are concerned, the conclusions from the RNNP also provide an important basis for planning our supervisory activities and for developing the regulations.
Reports
The results of the process are published every April as a two-part report covering the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) and the land-based plants respectively.
The main part of the report covers risk to people. A summary for the NCS is also produced.
RNNP risk data related to acute discharges are provided in a separate report every autumn.
Qualitative and quantitative methods
The RNNP process measures the development of the risk level on the basis of two methods intended to complement each other.
- A quantitative measurement tool based on defined situations of hazards and accidents (DSHAs)– indicators which are critical for safety and the working environment.
- Sociological analyses drawing on questionnaire-based surveys, interviews, fieldwork and other studies.
Scope
The description of the risk level on the NCS can be divided into the following main subjects:
- Major accidents
- Work accidents
- Working environment factors
- Acute discharges
Work on the RNNP is confined to conditions which fall within our area of authority. In addition comes all passenger transport by helicopter, pursued in cooperation with the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and helicopter operators on the NCS.
The work covers:
- All permanent and mobile facilities on the NCS
- Transport of personnel by helicopter between departure from/arrival at the heliports to landing on/departure from the facilities
- The use of vessels within the safety zone around the facilities
- Eight specified land-based plants
- Divers and diving personell.
Continuous improvement
In order to provide the best possible description of developments in risk level, we work continuously to identify new methods, risk areas and other key parameters which can provide further understanding of the risk factors where tracking over time is important.
Some important steps in the development of the RNNP process:
- 2001: The questionnaire-based survey is introduced. The objective is to get employees on the NCS to describe how they perceive HSE conditions at their workplace. Carried out every second year.
- 2004: Field work is carried out for the first time at selected facilities where progress has been made. The aim is to identify which factors or measures might have contributed to this improvement.
- 2006: Land-based facilities included in our area of responsibility are incorporated in the process.
- 2010: The risk of acute discharges is integrated in the RNNP process. A separate report is published every autumn.
- 2018: Divers and diving personnel in the petroleum activities are incorporated in the process.
Contributors
A number of players from the industry, the unions, other government agencies and specialist bodies are key contributors to the RNNP:
- Havtil– responsible for implementation and further development of the process
- The operating companies – contribute data on activities at the facilities and to the work on adapting the model to the land-based plants
- The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority – responsible for reporting official information related to helicopter flights and quality assurance of data, analyses and conclusions
- The helicopter operators,who contribute data on helicopter transport
- A special HSE expert group of selected specialists – evaluates procedures, gives views on developments, evaluates trends and makes proposals for conclusions
- The Safety Forum – the RNNP is entrenched in this collaborative arena for companies, unions and government, which comments on the process and its results as well as making recommendations for further work