BSEE Releases Its Safety Culture Policy Statement

After collecting comments on its draft safety culture policy, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published its final Safety Culture Policy Statement. The statement provides safety expectations and nine characteristics of a robust safety culture, but it does not create any additional regulatory requirements. The agency says, "The policy statement will inform BSSE's regulatory approach to lead the offshore oil and gas industry beyond a checklist-inspection approach toward a systematic, comprehensive approach to compliance." The nine characteristics included are:

1. Leadership commitment to safety values and actions
2. Hazard identification and risk management
3. Personal accountability
4. Work processes
5. Continuous improvement
6. Environment for raising concerns
7. Effective safety and environmental communication
8. Respectful work environment
9. Inquiring attitude