Isolation failures are one of the main causes of hydrocarbon releases on offshore installations on the UK continental shelf, with many having the potential to cause serious injury, fatalities or major accidents if ignited, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

The HSE says it continues to find serious failings during inspections and investigations, which has led to significant enforcement action in recent years. Now the regulator is highlighting the findings from its inspections and investigations to assist operators in improving their safety performance on offshore installations.

Scott Templeton, principal specialist inspector in HSE’s energy division – offshore, said: “The problem is not the procedures on paper, it is that people are not following them. Most UK operators have isolation procedures that broadly follow HSG 253 [the guidance on safe isolation of plant and equipment].”

Among the findings from inspections and investigations have been poor hazard identification, inadequate isolation planning, and inaccurate piping and instrumentation diagrams which do not reflect actual conditions.

Templeton added: “Effective and lasting improvement requires everyone involved in isolations, from senior management to those carrying out work on the plant, to share a genuine commitment to achieving and maintaining isolation procedures and practice to the required standard.

“We will soon issue updated inspection guidance, so operators know what to expect they will be assessed on. Safe isolation will remain an inspection priority.”

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