The Offshore Installations (Offshore Safety Directive) (Safety Case etc.) Regulations 2015

Power of competent authority in relation to safety cases and related documents

25.—(1) The competent authority may direct a duty holder to prepare revisions to a current safety case in relation to such matters as the competent authority may notify to the duty holder.

(2) When making a direction for the purposes of paragraph (1), the competent authority must explain why it believes that each revision is necessary and must specify a period, not being less than 28 days, within which the duty holder must submit such revisions to the competent authority.

(3) Revisions submitted pursuant to paragraph (2) are not effective unless—

(a) the duty holder has sent a version of the current safety case which incorporates the proposed revisions, showing clearly where they are to be made, to the competent authority; and

(b) the competent authority has accepted the revisions.

(4) Paragraph (5) applies where—

(a) a design notification has been submitted under regulation 15 or 19; but

(b) a safety case has not been submitted in respect of the production installation.

(5) Where this paragraph applies, the duty holder for the installation must, on demand by the competent authority, provide the competent authority with a copy of any document which the competent authority considers may be directly or indirectly relevant to the duty holder’s preparation of the safety case for that installation.

(6) The duty in paragraph (5) must be completed within such reasonable time of the demand, being a period of not less than 14 days, as may be specified by the competent authority.

(7) The competent authority may suspend any current safety case where it does not accept any proposed revision to it submitted pursuant to paragraph (2).

(8) When suspending a current safety case under paragraph (7), the competent authority must explain why it believes that a suspension is necessary.

(9) During any period for which the current safety case for an installation is suspended, the duty holder for that installation must ensure that it is not operated.

(10) The competent authority may lift a suspension in respect of a current safety case when it is satisfied that the health and safety of persons who are likely to be affected by the lifting of any suspension will not be prejudiced in consequence of it.

(11) Where further information is necessary before a safety case or revisions to a safety case can be accepted, or a decision can be made to lift a suspension, the duty holder must provide, at the request of the competent authority, such information and make any necessary changes to the submitted safety case.