Control
Fitness Assessment
Assessment of fitness for safety-critical work.
Documents
- 202622 Jan
Fall from a pilot ladder while attempting to board the cargo vessel Finnhawk from the pilot vessel Humber Saturn with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal pilot boarding accident involving Finnhawk and Humber Saturn. A probable cardiac event preceded the fall, while recovery-platform failure left the injured pilot partially immersed for over 40 minutes. The report examines medical fitness assessment, hydraulic defects, maintenance, cold-water protection and rescue training.
- 2025Dec
Health Safety Insight 2025
Annual review of UK offshore energy health and safety, centred on 2024 performance with historical comparisons. It examines hydrocarbon releases, maintenance backlogs, injury trends, medical assessment outcomes and evacuations, including mental health. Offshore aviation analysis covers fleet utilisation, helicopter safety indicators and the inclusion of wind operations.
- 202514 Aug
Diver reports unwell post-dive: non-decompression illness
A diver developed severe nausea and dizziness about an hour after surfacing. Recompression and medical examination identified dangerously high blood sugar; decompression illness was ruled out and hyperglycaemia suspected. The flash describes revised chamber treatment, evacuation ashore and recommendations on declaring medical conditions, recognising symptoms and maintaining fitness.
- 202516 Jun
Heat Stress Hazard Alert
This alert explains heat-related illness symptoms and occupational and personal risk factors for oil and gas extraction workers. It outlines employer, supervisor and worker responsibilities, covering acclimatisation, work–rest schedules, hydration, cooling areas, buddy systems, protective clothing, medical screening and training to recognise and respond to heat illness.
- 202222 Jul
A focus on journey management
This safety flash examines two vehicle incidents: a car–forklift collision at a Dutch third-party site and a Brazilian transport incident following a driver’s medical issue. It discusses restricted visibility, uncommunicated hazards and gaps in driver assurance, recommending journey planning, intervention and clearer oversight of contracted transport.
- 20212 Feb
COVID-19 Improper Risk Management
A vessel sailed while a repeat COVID-19 PCR result was pending, contrary to approved crew-change mitigations. The subsequent positive result required 14 days of onboard isolation, with no further infections reported. The flash addresses formal change approval, obtaining test results before sailing, medical fitness and access to adequate care.
- 202021 Sep
Safety Alert 392 - Personnel Transfer Injuries Escalate Over 1-Year Period
BSEE summarises personnel transfer injuries involving baskets and swing ropes between April 2019 and April 2020, alongside near misses and man-overboard incidents. It recommends that operators and contractors consider realistic response drills, communication about dangerous transfer conditions, stop-work training and continued fitness for duty following initial training and certification.
- 202020 May
Man overboard from dredger Cherry Sand with loss of 1 life
These annexes bring together maritime medical fitness standards, UK Dredging transfer risk assessments, Cherry Sand’s mooring instructions and a new-joiner induction form. They address eyesight testing, physical capability, boarding unmoored vessels, mooring-line handling and winch operation, with requirements for bridge permission, briefings and protective equipment.
- 202030 Jan
Worker fell into sea from gangway and drowned
A worker lost his balance while boarding a launch boat from a vessel gangway and drowned. The incident remained under investigation. The flash relays WSH recommendations on transfer briefings, physical fitness, favourable conditions, appropriate supervision and personal protective equipment, and points readers towards personnel-transfer guidance.
- 201929 May
Safety Alert 351 - BSEE Identifies Rig Operations Hazards during Risk Based Inspections
BSEE summarises performance-based risk inspections of 11 Gulf of Mexico rigs following a review of 2016–2018 compliance and incident data. Findings address contractor communication, emergency drills, short-service employees, fitness for duty, safe zones, fall protection, grounding and man riding. Recommendations focus on reviewing procedures and strengthening equipment integrity arrangements.
- 201820 Jun
Grounding of general cargo vessel Ruyter
Investigation of Ruyter’s grounding at Rathlin Island examines an unattended bridge, disabled watch alarms and absent night lookout. It analyses alcohol consumption, inadequate company oversight and normalised departures from watchkeeping instructions. Hull damage caused flooding; the vessel refloated without assistance. Subsequent company action included random alcohol testing and crew reporting empowerment.
- 20184 Apr
Safety Alert 331 - Personnel Transfers by Swing Rope and Personnel Basket
This alert reviews a January 2018 swing-rope transfer injury in the Gulf of Mexico and several 2017 personnel-basket and swing-rope incidents. It identifies fitness, training, technique and weather factors, and asks operators to consider hardware checks, hazard discussions, stop-work authority and fitness-for-duty requirements.
- 201712 Dec
Self-employed diver sentenced for falsifying diving medical certificate
This safety flash reports the sentencing of a commercial diver who supplied falsified medical certification in 2016, including an altered expiry date. It outlines breaches of UK diving and workplace safety legislation and reminds contractors to verify divers’ medical certificates, particularly when the doctor and diver are unfamiliar.
- 201712 Oct
Accident during pilot transfer between general cargo vessel Sunmi and pilot transfer vessel Patrol with loss of 1 life
Investigation of a fatal pilot transfer between Sunmi and Patrol on the River Thames. The pilot fell while stepping across and sustained crushing injuries between the vessels. Analysis examines unsuitable deck-gate access, ladder arrangements, omitted crush risks, training, fitness assessment and officer supervision; the initiating cause was not witnessed.
- 201713 Jul
Worker fainted and was injured during tanker operations in a tropical climate
A rigger fainted after standing from prolonged crouching during hose handling on a loading tanker, sustaining a slight head cut. The flash discusses extreme heat, PPE and inadequate drinking water, and highlights physical fitness, hydration, proper eating and opportunities to rest in shade.
- 201519 Nov
Grounding of general cargo vessel Lysblink Seaways
Investigation of Lysblink Seaways’ grounding near Kilchoan on 18 February 2015. Alcohol impaired the sole watchkeeper’s situational awareness. The report examines absent lookouts, disabled bridge watch alarms, inadequately configured electronic chart safeguards, deficient passage planning and persistent safety-management non-compliance. It records fleet-wide corrective action and makes no recommendations.
- 2015May
Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit: Resources for Respirator Program Administrators
A practical toolkit for hospital respiratory protection programme administrators, combining selection guidance, evaluation checklists and an adaptable written programme template. It addresses infectious and chemical inhalation hazards, medical clearance, training and equipment care, with detailed saccharin, Bitrex and ambient aerosol quantitative fit-testing protocols and separate user seal checks.
- 2011Mar
OCM4 - Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
Offshore COSHH guidance on selecting, using and maintaining respiratory protection. It covers assigned protection factors, face-fit testing, filter compatibility, breathing-air quality and wearer fitness. A supplier selection table captures task and wearer requirements, while instructions address training, pre-use checks, replacement parts and periodic examination.
- 20041 Jun
Staphylococcal infection in deep water saturation dive to 200 metres
This flash describes staphylococcal infection affecting seven saturation divers, including one during decompression, while the team worked at approximately 200 metres. The member identified limited isolation capacity, shared chin pads, helmet rotation, high humidity, hygiene shortcomings and insufficiently stringent pre-saturation medicals as factors in its spread.
- 20031 Jan
Fatality during helicopter escape training
A trainee became distressed after escaping a submerged helicopter trainer and later died despite CPR. An unknown pre-existing heart condition was identified; participation was considered likely to have exceeded his cardiovascular capability. The flash discusses fitness assessment, water orientation for non-swimmers, emergency response and planned improvements before training resumed.
- Undated
Back Injury During MUX Cable Clamp Removal from Work Basket
Investigation of a worker’s back injury while removing MUX cable clamps with an impact wrench from a work basket over a moon pool. The report identifies inadequate basket reach and working while overextended as causes, describes medical treatment and subsequent restricted duties, and makes no prevention recommendations.
- Undated
Finger Crushed During Installation of Rotary Mounted Slips
An investigation examines a finger-crushing injury during installation of rotary mounted slips on Noble Bully I. Uneven hoisting caused the component to rotate, and the worker placed his hand in a pinch point. Findings address absent guarding and hazard markings, job safety analysis, and failures to monitor third-party working hours and rest.
- Undated
Heavy landing on a rigid inflatable boat with 1 person injured
A passenger travelling to a jack-up rig on the River Thames sustained lower back compression fractures after craft motion lifted him from a locker lid and he landed heavily. The synopsis identifies shock and vibration risks, appropriate seating, helmsman training, craft design and medical screening, alongside recommendations concerning small commercial vessel guidance.
- Undated
Online Showcase Sustainable Weight Management
Showcase slides present weight-management programmes for offshore personnel alongside OEUK weight-limit certification requirements. Providers describe football competitions, inclusive activity platforms, voluntary crew challenges, digital habit support, individual coaching and clinical services. Presentations address offshore working conditions, psychological wellbeing, sustainable habits and weight maintenance, with selected programme results.
- Undated
Safe Weight Limit Explanatory Note Issue 1
Explains the proposed 124kg clothed weight limit for outbound offshore workers, linking it to rescue capacity, casualty handling and escape equipment constraints. Describes phased implementation, mobilisation checks and weight-dependent certification, alongside workforce impact estimates and support options. Return travel onshore is outside the restriction.
- Undated
Safety warning after vertical chute evacuation drill results in loss of 1 life
This MAIB bulletin presents interim recommendations following a fatal vertical-chute evacuation drill in Dover harbour. A volunteer became trapped and lost consciousness during rescue. Recommendations address volunteer fitness, lifejackets that cannot ride up, reassessment of drill and emergency evacuation risks, and removal of potential chute blockages through redesign or other means.