Received from: RMT
Merged into composite 01
Congress expresses sadness and condolences to the families and loved ones of workers killed or injured when working at sea, including the 165 offshore workers and two seafarers who perished in the Piper Alpha disaster thirty years ago, on 6 July, 1988.
Congress notes that the Health and Safety Executive regulates compliance with the Offshore Installations Regulations 1989 that cover safety representatives and safety committees and were introduced as a result of the Piper Alpha disaster. Congress is concerned that 26 compliance inspections since 2015 uncovered over 50 non-compliance issues, yet the HSE has not taken enforcement action against any installation owner or manager in the 29 years since these regulations came into effect.
Congress also notes that in the maritime sector safety culture is less developed than many transports sectors, which has contributed to safety incidents in crucial areas such as lifeboat drills.
Congress is further concerned that social dumping, as well as resulting in breaches of the Maritime Labour Convention, is also undermining safety standards in the maritime and offshore sectors.
Congress calls for:
i. the government to enforce compliance with elected offshore safety representatives’ standards
ii. continuous improvement of the safety culture in the maritime and offshore sectors
iii. a full-scale review of the effectiveness and enforcement of regulations governing worker engagement in safety standards on offshore installations and merchant shipping.
National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
AMENDMENT
Delete the third paragraph and insert the following as a new fourth paragraph:
“Congress congratulates the Offshore Coordinating Group comprised of Balpa, GMB, Nautilus International, RMT and Unite for its continuing efforts to improve safety in the North Sea.”
Nautilus International