Seeks Comments On Safety Improvements For Offshore Operations

The U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published an advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register concerning improving safety for operations related to helicopters and helidecks on fixed offshore facilities.

BSEE invites comments on whether to incorporate in its regulations certain industry and/or international standards for design, construction, and maintenance of offshore helidecks, as well as standards for aviation fuel quality, storage and handling. The BSEE also invites comments on whether it should incorporate existing standards, with modifications, and/or develop and propose new government regulatory standards for safety of helidecks and aviation fuel systems.

As an alternative to incorporating or developing such standards, BSEE invites comments on whether to require submission of aviation-related safety plans for helidecks and offshore aviation fuel systems on Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) facilities. The BSEE also seeks information on past accidents or other incidents
involving helidecks, helicopters, or aviation fuel on or near fixed OCS facilities.

Although the FAA has broad authority regarding helicopter-related safety issues and onshore and offshore flight safety, BSEE has the lead responsibility for safety of helidecks and aviation fuel storage and handling on fixed offshore facilities, while the USCG has the lead responsibility for helidecks and aviation
fuel handling on floating offshore facilities. Currently, BSEE’s regulations incorporate and require compliance with certain industry standards that address some safety issues related to helidecks and the presence of helicopters and aviation fuel on fixed offshore facilities. However, BSEE’s existing regulations do not comprehensively address helideck or aviation fuel safety issues.

The deadline for comments will be 60 days after the final NPRM is published in the Federal Register.

FMI: Advance NPRM