Earlier this year, the UK HSE issued a new Offshore Information Sheet (No 1/2007) to replace Safety Notice (SN) 10/80 which has now been withdrawn. To provide some background, the new Information Sheet states, “As a result of a substantial number of offshore interventions by HSE and due to continuous improvements in personnel carriers used for offshore transfer operations, it has become clear that the information contained in SN 10/80 no longer reflects the current operational situation. Therefore this information sheet has been produced to provide up to date guidance on best practice relating to this subject.” Offshore Information Sheet No. 1/2007 can be downloaded in full here.

Subsequent to the issue of the Offshore Information Sheet, the HSE published a new edition of HSG 221 “Technical Guidance on the Safe Use of Lifting Equipment Offshore”. Sections 275 to 277 specifically deal with the Safe Use of Personnel Carriers detailing criteria that should be considered when selecting suitable equipment and guidelines for their safe operation. The Guidance isn’t available in electronic format, but can be obtained by contacting the HSE or ordering online on their website – click here.