SEMS programs are a crucial aspect of Oil and Gas operations. The offshore oil and gas industry experienced one of its most severe accidents on April 20, 2010 when the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), Deepwater Horizon, experienced an uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons that sparked an explosion resulting in a fire that destroyed the MODU and led to the deaths of 11 workers

The offshore oil and gas industry had developed the Safety and Environmental Management Program (SEMP) in 1993. The SEMP program, which is a process safety-like program, was published in API-RP 75. However, this program was not mandatory.

Mandatory SEMS Programs

The final SEMS rule, as adopted in 30 CFR 250, requires offshore operators to develop and implement Safety and Environmental Management Systems (SEMS) for oil, gas, and sulfur operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The final rule will apply to all OCS oil, gas, and sulfur operations and the facilities under BSEE jurisdiction including drilling, production, construction, well workover, well completion, well servicing, and Department of Interior (DOI) pipeline activities. The rule became effective on November 15, 2010.

What makes a successful SEMS Program?

Successful SEMS programs begin with uncompromising leadership. Continual improvement requires best practices followed by implementation and evaluation. It is the responsibility of operator management to ensure that goals and performance measures are established for their SEMS program. These goals and performance measures should then be made clear to all personnel working on their OCS facilities.

An operator’s SEMS program should be the basis of a mature and continually improving safety culture. A safety culture cannot improve without management accountability. Therefore, management has responsibility and discretion to maintain and improve the safety culture across the organization.

Onward’s SEMS programs

From our very inception, our goal has been to provide clients with a tailored, holistic program which accounts for their intended focus and industry best practices.

Personnel are available both in-house and on-site to provide dedicated access to tools and insight to ensure regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and steadfast safety as outlined in your SEMS program. Paired with personnel leadership and SEMS support, Onward Consulting provides regulatory document management, bridging documents, review and redrafting of standard operating procedures, job safety analyses and others frequently requested during agency inspections.

Our SEMS Services Include

  • SEMS & Subpart O assessments
  • Identify and correct potential issues of noncompliance (PINC)
  • Pre-BSEE inspections
  • Management system creation and self-audits
  • Employee training and contractor management
  • Creation and validation of bridging documents
  • Safety culture assessments

Areas We Can Help Your Business In

  • Safe Work Practices
  • Operating Procedures
  • Management of Change
  • HSE competencies and Training
  • Contractor Management
  • Facility Onboarding
  • Best Practices
  • Job Safety Analysis

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