SEMS Good Practices

SEMS Good Practices

The Center for Offshore Safety’s commitment to learn and continually improve SEMS include resources related to leadership engagement, SEMS maturity self-assessment, safety culture, and others. 

One of the most important roles COS plays is in the development of a strong safety culture based on six safety characteristics from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s Safety Culture Policy Statement: Leadership; Respect and Trust; Environment for Raising Concerns; Open Communication; Personal Accountability; and an Inquiring Attitude.

Fatigue Risk Management for Offshore Personnel

This guidance document is provided to help companies develop a Fatigue Risk Management Program for offshore personnel by taking a comprehensive, customized approach to addressing fatigue within a company, including policies and practices that address a wide range of fatigue risk factors and mitigation measures.

Work Planning and Work Management Flowchart

This flowchart presents a generic Work Planning and Work Management (WPWM) process that can be tailored, as appropriate, for a company's specific scope of operations.

Verifying Existing Barriers

This document provides guidance to help companies verify their existing barriers have integrity and are or will be effective. 

COS-3-08 Guidance on Verifying Existing Barriers 

Crane Maintenance Tracker

This guidance provides companies engaged in offshore operations with a framework for the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of a Crane Maintenance Tracker (CMT) to manage and reduce risks associated with inspecting and maintaining offshore crane equipment.

COS-3-07 Guidance for the Development of an Effective Crane Maintenance Tracker (CMT) 

Developing and Managing Procedures

This guidance will address operating procedures and safe work practices. Companies can use this document to implement a systematic procedure to involve the right personnel in operations, incorporate appropriate risk controls, and focus on end users of all stages.

COS-3-06 Guidance for Developing and Managing Procedures

SEMS Interfaces

This document provides guidance for the clear definition and documentation of safety and environmental management systems expectations with example interface agreements and guidance for selection, application, and use. The guidance is meant to aid Companies and Entities in managing the interface requirements of a management system.

Safety Culture

COS developed guidelines for a robust safety culture to help companies define and develop safety culture characteristics.  The document provides a standardized list of key success factors and obstacles, including descriptions of specific safety culture characteristics; factors that encourage and demonstrate a robust safety culture; and potential barriers that may prevent a robust safety culture.

SEMS Maturity Self-Assessment

COS offers a maturity assessment tool for organizations to evaluate their SEMS in relation to a fully mature system and to help identify areas for continuous improvement.

COS-3-03 Guidelines for SEMS Maturity Self-Assessment

Skills and Knowledge Management

This document provides guidance to help the oil and natural gas industry understand, develop, and implement an effective Knowledge and Skills Management Program based on company-specific needs.

COS-3-02, RP 75 3^rd Edition - Skills and Knowledge Management System Guidelines

Leadership Site Engagement

This guidance provides company leadership with the means to visibly demonstrate leadership, assess the SEMS, and evaluate site safety culture.  The overall intent is to help companies understand the value of engaging personnel at offshore sites in delivering and improving safety performance.