Safety Case

A Safety Case is a structured argument, supported by evidence, intended to justify that a system is acceptably safe for a specific application in a specific operating environment. Safety cases are often required as part of a regulatory process, a certificate of safety being granted only when the regulator is satisfied by the argument presented in a safety case. (1) Safety case: Wikipedia; 24 February 2015

 

The United Kingdom’s implementation of Safety Case regulations follows on the 1988 ‘Piper Alpha’ offshore oil platform disaster, in which 167 people died. A public inquiry into the tragedy, led by Lord Cullen, resulted in a central recommendation of report: that the operator or owner of every offshore installation should be required to prepare a safety case and submit it to British Health, Safety Executive for acceptance. The main aim of the Regulations is to reduce the risks from major accident hazards to the health and safety of those working on offshore installations or in connected activities.

 

In a broad sense Safety Cases consist of:

  • Facility Description
  • Risk Assessment
  • Safety Management System
  • Suite of Studies
  • Implementation
  • Regulators (Submission for Approval)

 

Over time the requirement for Safety Cases to be written, and approved by Regulators (aka Authorities Having Jurisdiction), has been adopted in other countries.  Additionally, some companies, such as the Oil majors, contractually require contractors to produce Safety Cases no matter which country they will be operating in. Terra Marique Risk Management Ltd. (TMRM Ltd.) has been involved gathering information and writing Safety Cases.  If you are in need of a Safety Case, TMRM Ltd. can do it for you.