Collapse to view only § 285.810 - When must I submit a Safety Management System (SMS) and what must I include in my SMS?

Safety Management Systems

§ 285.810 - When must I submit a Safety Management System (SMS) and what must I include in my SMS?

You are required to use a Safety Management System (SMS) for activities conducted on the OCS to develop or operate a lease, from met buoy placement and site assessment work through decommissioning, and to provide your SMS to BSEE upon request. You must also submit a detailed description of the SMS with your COP (as provided in 30 CFR 585.627(d)) and, when required by this part, your SAP (as provided in § 285.614(b)) or GAP (as provided in § 285.651). Your SMS must address:

(a) How you will ensure the safety of your personnel or anyone else on or near your facilities, such as:

(1) Health and safety risks that anyone on your facilities or engaged in lease activities are likely to face during activities covered by the SMS;

(2) Policies and strategies that will be used to control such risks;

(3) Procedures and nationally or internationally recognized standards that will be followed to ensure the safety of the activities covered by the SMS;

(4) Methods that will be used to monitor the implementation of the SMS and maintain the safety of activities covered by the SMS, including management of change and stop work practices; and

(5) Procedures for personnel to report unsafe work conditions both to the lessee or its designated operator and to BSEE.

(b) Remote monitoring, control, and shut down capabilities, such as:

(1) Aspects of operations and mechanical and structural integrity that will be monitored remotely;

(2) Circumstances under which remote monitoring will be activated and how it will be maintained;

(3) Maintenance of the security of the remote sensing and control capabilities;

(4) Monitoring of conditions if remote sensing equipment fails; and

(5) Conditions that will result in the shutdown of one or more facilities.

(c) Emergency response procedures, such as:

(1) Types of incidents to be addressed (e.g., serious injury to workers during maintenance, unexploded ordnance encountered during construction, damage due to hurricane or allision by vessels or aircraft, unauthorized access into remote monitoring capabilities, evacuation, and search and rescue);

(2) Potential response activities, including U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), other government agencies, and contractor support, for each category of incident;

(3) Management controls, authorities, and reporting to be employed for each response;

(4) Locations from which emergency response will be controlled; and

(5) Resources available to assist in the response.

(d) Fire suppression equipment, such as a description of how and when it will be used, if needed.

(e) How and when you will test your SMS, such as:

(1) Plans, processes, and schedules for:

(i) Self or third-party auditing of the SMS; and

(ii) Regular testing of certain SMS components, including remote shutdown capabilities and emergency response readiness; and

(2) Corrective action processes to improve the effectiveness of your SMS based on the results of audits, tests, investigations of incidents (including near-misses), feedback from the field, and other information sources.

(f) How you will ensure personnel who conduct activities on your facilities are properly trained and have the capability to safely perform duties, such as:

(1) Required training for personnel who conduct activities on your facilities; and

(2) Required knowledge and skills to ensure that personnel perform duties safely for the duration of activities.

[89 FR 42720, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.811 - Am I required to obtain a certification of my SMS?

You are not required to obtain a certification that your SMS meets acceptable health and safety standards (e.g., ANSI/ASSP Z10.0, API RP 75, ISO 45001) from a recognized accreditation organization. However, BSEE will consider such certification in determining the frequency and scope of SMS-related inspections that it conducts under this subpart, as well as the scope and nature of its oversight over any audit-induced corrective actions.

[89 FR 42720, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.812 - How must I implement my SMS?

(a) Your SMS must be functional before you begin, and must remain functional while you perform, any activity on the OCS pursuant to a lease, including met buoy placement and site assessment work, or for any activities described in your approved SAP, COP, or GAP. You must conduct all activities described in your approved SAP, COP, or GAP in accordance with the SMS you described under § 285.810.

(b) You must regularly demonstrate to BSEE that your SMS is being implemented effectively by submitting the following to BSEE in accordance with § 285.110:

(1) By March 31st of each year, summarize safety and work hour performance data for the prior calendar year in which you conducted site assessment, construction, operations, or decommissioning activities in accordance with your lease terms, using a form available on the BSEE website; and

(2) Once every 3 years and upon BSEE's request, provide a report to BSEE summarizing the results of your most recent SMS audit, corrective actions implemented or being implemented as a result of that audit, and an updated description of your SMS highlighting changes that were made since the last such submission to BSEE.

[89 FR 42720, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.800 - How must I conduct my activities to comply with safety and environmental requirements?

(a) You must conduct all activities on your lease or grant under this part in a manner that conforms with your responsibilities in § 285.105(a), and using:

(1) Trained personnel; and

(2) Technologies, precautions, and techniques that will not cause undue harm or damage to natural resources, including their physical, atmospheric, and biological components.

(b) You must certify compliance with those terms and conditions identified in your approved SAP, COP, or GAP, as required under § 285.615(b), § 285.633(a), or § 285.653(b).

§ 285.801 - How must I conduct my approved activities to protect marine mammals, threatened and endangered species, and designated critical habitat?

You must comply with all measures required under 30 CFR 585.701.

§ 285.802 - What must I do if I discover a potential archaeological resource while conducting my approved activities?

You must comply with all measures required under 30 CFR 585.702.

§ 285.803 - How must I conduct my approved activities to protect essential fish habitats identified and described under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act?

You must comply with all measures required under 30 CFR 585.703.

§§ 285.804-285.809 - §[Reserved]

Maintenance and Shutdowns

§ 285.813 - When do I have to report removing equipment from service?

(a) The removal of any equipment from service may result in BSEE applying remedies, as provided in this part, when such equipment is necessary for implementing your approved plan. Such remedies may include an order from BSEE requiring you to replace or remove such equipment or facilities.

(b)(1) You must report within 24 hours when equipment necessary for implementing your approved plan is removed from service for more than 12 hours. If you provide an oral notification, you must submit a written confirmation of this notice within 3-business days, as required by § 285.105(c);

(2) You do not have to report removing equipment necessary for implementing your plan if the removal is part of planned maintenance or repair activities; and

(3) You must notify BSEE when you return the equipment to service.

§ 285.814 - [Reserved]

Equipment Failure and Adverse Environmental Effects

§ 285.815 - What must I do if I have facility damage or an equipment failure?

(a) If you have facility damage or the failure of a pipeline, cable, or other equipment necessary for you to implement your approved plan, you must make repairs as soon as practicable. If you have a major repair, you must submit a report to BSEE under § 285.703.

(b) If you are required to report any facility damage or failure under § 285.831, BOEM may require you to revise your SAP, COP, or GAP to describe how you will address the facility damage or failure as required by 30 CFR 585.634 (COP), 585.617 (SAP), or 585.655 (GAP). You must submit a report of the repairs to BSEE, as required in § 285.703.

(c) BSEE may require that you analyze cable, pipeline, or facility damage or failure to determine the cause. If requested by BSEE, you must submit a comprehensive written report of the failure or damage to BSEE as soon as available.

[88 FR 6413, Jan. 31, 2023, as amended at 89 FR 42720, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.816 - What must I do if environmental or other conditions adversely affect a cable, pipeline, or facility?

If environmental or other conditions adversely affect a cable, pipeline, or facility so as to endanger the safety or the environment, you must:

(a) Submit a plan of corrective action to BSEE within 30 days of the discovery of the adverse effect.

(b) Take remedial action as described in your corrective action plan.

(c) Submit to the BSEE a report of the remedial action taken within 30 days after completion.

§§ 285.817-285.819 - §[Reserved]

Inspections and Assessments

§ 285.820 - Will BSEE conduct inspections?

BSEE may inspect OCS facilities and any vessels engaged in activities authorized under this part. When we conduct these inspections, we will:

(a) Verify that you are conducting activities in compliance with subsection 8(p) of the OCS Lands Act; the regulations in this part; the terms, conditions, and stipulations of your lease or grant; approved plans; and other applicable laws and regulations.

(b) Determine whether proper safety equipment has been installed and is operating properly according to your SMS, as required in § 285.810.

[89 42720, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.821 - Will BSEE conduct scheduled and unscheduled inspections?

BSEE may conduct both scheduled and unscheduled inspections.

[89 FR 42721, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.822 - What must I do when BSEE conducts an inspection?

(a) When BSEE conducts an inspection, you must:

(1) Provide access to all facilities on your lease (including your project easement) or grant and any vessels engaged in activities authorized under this part; and

(2) Make the following available for BSEE to inspect:

(i) The area covered under a lease, ROW grant, or RUE grant;

(ii) All improvements, structures, and fixtures on these areas; and

(iii) All records of design, construction, operation, maintenance, repairs, or investigations on or related to the area.

(b) You must retain the records referenced in paragraph (a)(2)(iii) of this section until BOEM releases your financial assurance under 30 CFR585.534 and provide them to BSEE upon request within the time period specified by BSEE.

(c) You must demonstrate to the inspector how you are in compliance with your safety management system.

[88 FR 6413, Jan. 31, 2023, as amended at 89 FR 42721, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.823 - Will BSEE reimburse me for my expenses related to inspections?

Upon request, BSEE will reimburse you for food, quarters, and transportation that you provide for our representatives while they inspect your lease or grant facilities and associated activities. You must send us your reimbursement request within 90 days of the inspection.

§ 285.824 - How must I conduct self-inspections?

(a) You must develop a comprehensive self-inspection plan covering all of your facilities. You must keep this self-inspection plan wherever you keep your records and make it available to BSEE upon request. Your self-inspection plan must specify:

(1) The type, extent, and frequency of inspections that you will conduct for both the above-water and the below-water structures of all facilities and pertinent components of the mooring, tendon, or tethering systems for any floating facilities;

(2) How you will monitor the corrosion protections for both above-water and below-water structures; and

(3) How you will fulfill the requirement for annual on-site inspection of all Critical Safety Systems and Equipment.

(b) You must conduct an onsite inspection of each of your facilities at least once a year. This inspection must include, but is not limited to, all Critical Safety Systems and Equipment.

(1) You must develop and retain summary reports for all such inspections for each calendar year. The summary report must note any failures of operability, required maintenance of Critical Safety Systems and Equipment, or required replacement of the Critical Safety Systems and Equipment identified during inspection.

(2) You must retain records of inspections and summary reports for the previous 2 calendar years and make them available to BSEE on request.

(c) You must submit a report annually to BSEE no later than November 1st that must include:

(1) A list of facilities inspected for structural condition and corrosion protection in the preceding 12 months;

(2) The type of inspection employed (i.e., visual, magnetic particle, ultrasonic testing); and

(3) A summary of the inspection indicating what repairs, if any, were needed and the overall structural condition of the facility.

[89 FR 42721, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.825 - When must I assess my facilities?

(a) You must perform an assessment of the structure, when needed, based on the platform assessment initiators listed in sections 17.2.1-17.2.5 of API RP 2A-WSD (incorporated by reference, see § 285.115).

(b) You must initiate mitigation actions for structures that do not pass the assessment process of API RP 2A-WSD.

(c) You may comply with a later edition of API RP 2A-WSD only if:

(1) You show that complying with the later edition provides a degree of protection, safety, or performance equal to or better than what would be achieved by compliance with the listed edition; and

(2) You obtain the prior written approval for alternative compliance from the authorized BSEE official.

(d) You must perform other assessments as required by BSEE.

§§ 285.826-285.829 - §[Reserved]

Incident Reporting and Investigation

§ 285.830 - What are my incident reporting requirements?

(a) You must report all incidents listed in § 285.831 to BSEE, according to the reporting requirements for these incidents in §§ 285.832 through 285.833.

(b) These reporting requirements apply to incidents that occur on the area covered by your lease or grant and that are related to activities resulting from the exercise of your rights under your lease or grant.

(c) Nothing in this subpart relieves you from providing notices and reports of incidents that may be required by other regulatory agencies.

(d) You must report all spills of oil or other liquid pollutants in accordance with 30 CFR 250.187(d).

[88 FR 6413, Jan. 31, 2023, as amended at 89 FR 42721, May 15, 2024]

§ 285.831 - What incidents must I report, and when must I report them?

(a) You must report the following incidents to us immediately via oral communication, and provide a written follow-up report (paper copy or electronically transmitted) within 15-business days after the incident:

(1) Fatalities;

(2) Incidents that require the evacuation of person(s) from the facility to shore or to another offshore facility;

(3) Fires and explosions;

(4) Collisions that result in property or equipment damage greater than $25,000. (Collision means the act of a moving vessel (including an aircraft) striking another vessel, or striking a stationary vessel or object. Property or equipment damage means the cost of labor and material to restore all affected items to their condition before the damage, including, but not limited to, the OCS facility, a vessel, a helicopter, or the equipment. It does not include the cost of salvage, cleaning, dry docking, or demurrage);

(5) Incidents involving structural damage to an OCS facility that is severe enough so that activities on the facility cannot continue until repairs are made;

(6) Incidents involving crane or personnel/material handling activities, if they result in a fatality, injury, structural damage, or significant environmental damage;

(7) Incidents that damage or disable safety systems or equipment (including firefighting systems);

(8) Other incidents resulting in property or equipment damage greater than $25,000; and

(9) Any other incidents involving significant environmental damage, or harm.

(b) You must provide a written report of the following incidents to us within 15 days after the incident:

(1) Any injuries that result in the injured person not being able to return to work or to all of their normal duties the day after the injury occurred; and

(2) All incidents that require personnel on the facility to muster for evacuation for reasons not related to weather or drills.

§ 285.832 - How do I report incidents requiring immediate notification?

For an incident requiring immediate notification under § 285.831(a), you must notify BSEE verbally after aiding the injured and stabilizing the situation. Your verbal communication must provide the following information:

(a) Date and time of occurrence;

(b) Identification and contact information for the lessee, grant holder, or operator;

(c) Contractor, and contractor representative's name and telephone number (if a contractor is involved in the incident or injury/fatality);

(d) Lease number, OCS area, and block;

(e) Platform/facility name and number, or cable or pipeline segment number;

(f) Type of incident or injury/fatality;

(g) Activity at time of incident; and

(h) Description of the incident, damage, or injury/fatality.

§ 285.833 - What are the reporting requirements for incidents requiring written notification?

(a) For any incident covered under § 285.831, you must submit a written report within 15 days after the incident to BSEE. The report must contain the following information:

(1) Date and time of occurrence;

(2) Identification and contact information for each lessee, grant holder, or operator;

(3) Name and telephone number of the contractor and the contractor's representative, if a contractor is involved in the incident or injury;

(4) Lease number, OCS area, and block;

(5) Platform/facility name and number, or cable or pipeline segment number;

(6) Type of incident or injury;

(7) Activity at time of incident;

(8) Description of incident, damage, or injury (including days away from work, restricted work, or job transfer), and any corrective action taken; and

(9) Property or equipment damage estimate (in U.S. dollars).

(b) You may submit a report or form prepared for another agency in lieu of the written report required by paragraph (a) of this section if the report or form contains all required information.

(c) BSEE may require you to submit additional information about an incident on a case-by-case basis.