Page 427 - Offshore Electrical Engineering Manual

414 CHAPTER 1 Introduction to UK DCR Regulations and the Duties

3. Review, or writing, of verification schemes,
4. Implementation of verification schemes,
5. Updating verification schemes.

Requirements expressed here should be considered as a minimum guidance, i.e.,
to be followed in the absence of specific contractual or duty holder requirements.
However, the independence and competence of the engineers concerned should be
considered as mandatory. Note that independence does not necessarily mean that the
engineer must work for a different company, but must:

1. Be outside the control of the line management engaged in the new project or
operation of the installation. It is acceptable for the engineer to work for the
same company but not the same line of management.
2. Have not been involved in the original design, installation or commissioning.

BACKGROUND
The Safety Case Regulations, together with the supporting regulations detailed below
(DCR, PFEER, MAR, PSR), require that all Major Accident Hazards (MAHs) relat-
ing to an offshore installation are identified and adequately managed throughout the
installation lifecycle. This is achieved by demonstrating the integrity of the instal-
lation, the safety of its operation and the capabilities of its preventative, mitigating,
rescue and protecting systems, should an incident threatening the safety of the instal-
lation and its personnel occur.
The regulations are intended to create a ‘goal setting’ (or non-prescriptive)
culture which looks at the topography and operating parameters of each instal-
lation in its own light and for efforts to be focused on those areas which provide
the greatest contribution to risk control/management. The principal aims of the
regulations are:

• Identify all credible hazards relating to an installation, and eliminate where
possible.
• Assess and reduce risks from all MAHs to a level that is As Low As Reasonably
Practicable (ALARP).
• Implement, maintain and verify an appropriate combination of inherent safe
design, prevention, detection, control and mitigation systems and equipment,
throughout the lifecycle of the installation for the management of these risks.
• Ensure that systems and equipment provided to protect personnel are suitable
and capable of responding to all foreseeable safety-related incidents.
• Ensure that design, operation, maintenance and verification of these systems are
undertaken by competent people who understand their responsibilities in the
management of MAHs and possible escalating events.
• Assess changes to the installation which may affect the risks, and revise the
systems where necessary to take account of the changes.