Health and safety now applies offshore

Health and safety law was extended offshore last month to cover wind turbines and other activities.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is applied to work activities beyond the UK’s 12-mile territorial sea limit by way of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (Application Outside Great Britain) Order 2001 (the Order). The HSE identified two gaps in the Order, in relation to structures such as offshore wind turbines and to offshore installations where, because of a change of use, work activities continue to be carried out.

The necessary amendments will be made by way of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 (Application Outside Great Britain) (Variation) Order 2009 (the 2009 Order). The changes came into force on 5 August 2009. Companies involved with the construction, repair and operation of wind turbines and other renewable structures will need to ensure they do all they can to comply with existing duties under the HSWA and its associated regulations.