With the issue of Revision 3 of the OPEP Guidance by BEIS (available on the Offshore Safety Directive Regular website), the following changes (outlined in Appendix C) will apply for training and exercises.
Training
Course Title |
OPEP Level |
Course Attendees |
Duration |
Location |
Refresher |
On-scene Commander |
1 |
Personnel who undertake the role of On Scene Commander |
4 hours |
E-learning course |
Every 3 years |
Corporate Management |
2 |
Personnel who undertake the roles of Emergency Operations Manager and the Operators Representative within the OCU. Personnel who undertake the roles of Duty Manager[1], Emergency Room Manager[2] and/or Incident Commander (within the Incident Command System) |
4 hours |
Generally held at Company premises |
Every 3 years* |
Onshore Emergency Responder |
3 |
Personnel who undertake the role of Environmental Advisor within the Emergency Room |
24 hours |
Generally held at a central company location |
Every 3 years* (1 day refresher) |
Onshore Emergency Responder (IMO 2 Equivalent) |
4 |
The Responsible Person or Operator of the Oil Handling Facility has access to personnel trained to this Level |
32 hours |
Held in Southampton due to practical deployments |
Every 3 years* (1 day refresher) |
[1] ‘Duty Managers’ are considered to be persons who initially assess the circumstances of any reported incident, determine its significance and if required make the decision to mobilise the emergency response teams and activate the Responsible Person’s or Operator of the Oil Handling Facilities emergency response room.
[2] ‘Emergency Room Manager’ is considered to be the person who takes charge of the Responsible Person’s emergency response room to ensure the efficient operation of the room and effective delivery of its emergency response function.
For Personnel requiring the OPEP Level 2 Training, the guidance states that personnel are trained to at least this level, and therefore depending on your operational risks and Training Needs Analysis (TNA), personnel can also be trained to OPEP Level 3.
Course Title |
OPEP Level |
Course Date |
Duration |
Location |
1 |
01 January – 31 December 2017 |
4 hours |
E-learning course |
|
2 |
01 February 2017 |
4 hours |
Aberdeen |
|
11 April 2017 |
Southampton |
|||
12 September 2017 |
Aberdeen |
|||
3 |
07-09 February 2017 |
24 hours |
Aberdeen |
|
04-06 April 2017 |
Southampton |
|||
3/4 |
02 February 2017 |
8 hours |
Aberdeen |
|
12 April 2017 |
Southampton |
|||
13 September 2017 |
Aberdeen |
|||
01 November 2017 |
Southampton |
|||
(Onshore Emergency Responder / IMO 2 Equivalent) |
4 |
08-11 May 2017 |
32 hours |
Southampton |
Exercises
For offshore production or drilling operations, there should be at least 1 exercise per year for all persons with responsibilities for implementing the OPEP, which tests an exercise scenario that enables the consideration of escalation of the response to Tier 2 (requiring a regional capability - beyond the capability of the offshore installation operator or requires additional contracted response).
As part of your Membership with OSRL, you are entitled to utilise Technical Advisors to help you in the early decision making process. OSRL is also able to provide Technical Advisors during any exercises for our Members free of charge, subject to availability.
As part of the exercise, OSRL can pre-run response scenarios using the OILMAP modelling software, so that exercise planners can use the information in a speeded-up time jump and allow for a more realistic and valuable exercise testing other elements of the response or OPEP in a shortened timeframe. In addition we can also assist you with the development of injects, for example satellite surveillance reports and SCAT forms.
For more information, contact us at the Aberdeen office and speak to: