Published: 23 Nov 2016
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) is again calling for better safety standards in the offshore oil and gas sector with deficiencies highlighted in the release of a Government report into the incident today.
MUA member Andrew Kelly was killed when crushed by a container on board the Skandi Pacific, which was performing work under contract from oil and gas giant Chevron, off the Pilbara Coast, Western Australia, on July 14, 2015.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report exposes some worrying gaps in the safety regulation of the offshore maritime industry. It found that:
· no Australian OHS law or agency had jurisdiction over the Australian-crewed Skandi Pacificat the time of this tragic incident in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone;
· the safety management system on board was inadequate, with no defined limits for working in poor weather or the additional risks of working in an open-sterned vessel where the sea is free to wash over the deck; and
· the Skandi Pacific’s safety management system was not based in Australian safety legislation, but instead on the offshore industry document Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations.
MUA National Secretary Paddy Crumlin said Andrew Kelly’s death was avoidable and the current rules are simply not strong enough, particularly when considering adverse weather and open-stern vessels.
“Andrew Kelly’s death was avoidable and the MUA again sends its condolences to his family on a day which will unfortunately provide yet another painful reminder that all workers have the right to arrive home safely from work each and every day,” Crumlin said.
“The Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations has not been approved by Australian authorities and does not recognise the critical concepts of risk, duty of care, consultation, and the hierarchy of controls of risk that exists in Australian legislation,” Mr Crumlin said.
“Importantly, Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations does not include guidance dealing with the loading and unloading of open-stern vessels in heavy seas. The MUA pointed out the deficiencies with the Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations in 2014 and this tragic incident reinforces our view.
“The matters highlighted in the ATSB report could and should be dealt with, quickly, in an updated Australian offshore supply vessel safety code of practice.
“Yet the Turnbull Government wants to repeal the only offshore supply vessel safety code of practice currently in force in its Seafarers and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016, and remove the right for unions to participate in the development of future offshore safety codes of practice.
“Companies such as Chevron also need to heed this report and give preference to closed-stern vessels to perform this type of work when awarding contracts in the future.”
