The safety case will demonstrate that the emergency response plan is an integral part of the overall SMS as a control measure subject to the same checks as all other control measures. The safety case overview of the emergency response plan therefore needs to include processes for testing, review, training and informing persons of its operation. The safety case must demonstrate that all aspects of the emergency plan need to be realistic, workable and agreed to by the relevant parties, including those internal and external to the petroleum undertaking including other petroleum undertakings where relevant. This includes assumptions
regarding actions required, timing, effectiveness of detection methods and decision-making processes and the range of emergencies that could occur. The emergency plan must be robust and take into account the conditions that may prevail in areal emergency which often make it difficult to achieve ideal responses. The safety case must demonstrate that the emergency response plan includes
Coordination of resources between the internal resources of the petroleum undertaking and external, offsite agencies such as marine and aviation emergency services
The position of the person directing the internal emergency response and the position of the person with responsibility for liaising with the authority coordinating the external emergency plan
A description of the actions which should betaken to control the hazardous event
and to limit its consequences
Coordinated recovery arrangements for persons on the petroleum infrastructure affected by a Major Accident Hazard
Methods to ensure that every person on the petroleum infrastructure is provided with adequate instruction and training in the appropriate action to take in an emergency and can consult written information on the use of emergency plant
Arrangements for informing the authorities responsible for initiating the offsite emergency plan, the type of information which should be initially conveyed to them and the arrangements for the provision of more detailed information as it becomes available and
An inventory of
available emergency equipment, its ownership, location, transport to and mode of deployment at the petroleum infrastructure. The inventory should identify measures in place to ensure this equipment is maintained inoperable condition. The safety case must demonstrate that offsite emergency response plans are in place clearly explaining the role of relevant authorities, emergency responders, coordinators and others required
for the emergency response, so that cooperation is ensured in all emergencies. Offsite emergency response plans should ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for alerting, coordinating necessary external resources and providing suitable information and advice to external persons and organisations that maybe affected by the emergency.
The safety case must give an overview of the procedures for
Identifying persons responsible for instruction on emergency procedures
Reviewing emergency procedures on a regular basis
Ensuring that information is available at the site and another location of all persons on the location and the way in which their next of kin contact details and any other pertinent
details are retained
Ensuring every person on the petroleum infrastructure is informed of the procedure for evacuation, the significance of emergency signals, and the location of relevant lifesaving equipment
Arrangements for training persons in the duties they will be expected to perform, and, where necessary, coordinating this with
external emergency responders; and
Review and update of the emergency preparedness and response procedures, in particular, after periodic testing and after the occurrence of emergency situations. For petroleum infrastructure that is connected to or one or more pipelines, the safety case will summarise procedures for shutting down or isolating,
in the event of emergency, each of those pipelines so as to stop the flow of petroleum into the petroleum infrastructure through the pipeline. In particular, the procedures should include
Effective means of controlling and operating all relevant emergency shutdown valves for the pipeline and
A fail-safe system of isolating the pipeline. The safety case must demonstrate how the petroleum undertaking complies with the Framework for Major Emergency Management.
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For any installation with wells, or carrying
out a Well Work Activity, the emergency response plan must
Provide for the possibility of a full-bore blowout event and
Describe the means of identifying early indicators (such as a kick) of a potential blowout and demonstrate that arrangements are in place to prevent the full development of a blowout and the actions to betaken in order to ensure safe command and control of the plant and persons from the time of the early indications through to dealing with the consequences of a full bore blowout should it occur.
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