The Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (DIIS) is undertaking a review of the occupational health and safety (OHS) regime for offshore petroleum workers in Australian waters.

The review forms a part of the DIIS’ continuous regulatory improvements and is being worked on in anticipation of the sunsetting of the current offshore safety regulations, the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Safety) Regulations 2009, on 1 April 2020.

The review aims to ensure the current OHS regime for offshore petroleum workers in Australia continues to provide an effective framework for securing the health, safety and welfare of workers and represents leading practice in delivering safe offshore petroleum and greenhouse gas storage activities.

The evidence-based review is set to look at current offshore safety regulation, Schedule 3 (Occupational Health and Safety) of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (OPGGS) Act and any other matters under the OPGGS Act.

Members of the public are being encouraged by the DIIS to participate in assisting the review through a range of different consultation options, such as attending stakeholder meetings or contacting them through email.

As part of the consultation process, an Offshore Safety Review Workshop was held in Melbourne on Monday 13 August 2018, with an additional workshop set to be held in Perth on 22 October 2018 to discuss health and safety issues and the current offshore petroleum regulatory regime with its affected stakeholders.

Due to limited seating, a maximum of two attendees from each organisation is being asked to attend.

Key documents and consultation papers are set to be published on the DIIS’ website (here) once they’re ready for public comment.