OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 Proponent: Tim Waguespack Issue Date: May 2011 Approver(s): Ross Sommer Audit Date: May 2014 Rick Johnston Competency Assessment Required: YES Revision: 0 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 PURPOSE... 2 2.0 SCOPE... 2 3.0 ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS... 2 4.0 OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES... 3 4.1 Transportation by Boat... 3 4.2 Helicopter Safety and Helicopter Underwater Egress Training... 4 4.2.1 General Helicopter Safety Guidelines... 4 4.2.2 Boarding and Departing Helicopter Guidelines... 4 4.2.3 Helicopter Safety... 5 4.3 Water Safety and Survival... 6 4.3.1 Falls from Platforms... 7 4.3.2 Water Entry from Heights... 7 4.3.3 Hypothermia... 7 4.3.4 Swing Rope Transfers... 9 4.4 Training... 9 5.0 REFERENCES... 10 6.0 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS... 10 7.0 REVISION NOTES... 11 OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 1 of 11
1.0 PURPOSE The purpose of this Offshore Travel Guidelines document is to provide guidance to personnel traveling to and working at locations in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Individuals traveling to and working at these locations may accidentally enter the water and become exposed to the associated hazards of drowning, helicopter egress, and environmental exposure. The requirements of this written document will assist in mitigating these hazards. 2.0 SCOPE This document will apply to all Nexen Petroleum USA, Inc. (Nexen) employees and contractors that travel to or work on offshore facility(s) located in the GoM. 3.0 ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS HSE&SR: Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility HUET: Helicopter Underwater Egress Training Hypothermia: Dangerously low body temperature caused by prolonged exposure to cold IADC: International Association of Drilling Contractors Nexen: Nexen Petroleum U.S.A. Inc. OOC: Offshore Operator Committee PFD: Personal Flotation Device PIC: Person in Charge PPE: Personal Protective Equipment OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 2 of 11
4.0 OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES In order to be prepared for an emergency or survival situation, employees must become familiar with emergency procedures. Nexen employees and contractors are subject to risk when working over inland waters or offshore. For this reason, all personnel that work on or around the water will receive Water Survival - HUET training as well as an offshore orientation when they arrive at the facility. These guidelines are meant to serve as a reminder or refresher and are by no means complete or comprehensive. In an emergency situation, your training must control your actions. Nexen has described the requirements for work clothes and personal protective equipment (PPE) for specific jobs and locations in its Offshore Safe Work Practices Handbook. 4.1 Transportation by Boat Nexen employees and contractors that use a boat for transportation to and from an offshore facility must follow these guidelines: a) Adhere to: i. Passenger manifest procedures. ii. Seating arrangements. iii. Luggage, cargo, pollution control, and smoking rules. iv. Safe conduct during transit. v. Swing rope/personnel basket procedures. b) The boat captain has complete authority at all times. c) Use safe loading/disembarking procedures. d) Use US Coast Guard (USCG) approved personal flotation devices (PFD). All rules and regulations established by federal, state, and municipal agencies must be strictly observed at all times. Firearms, illegal drugs, and alcoholic beverages are prohibited on all helicopters, boats, and offshore facilities. Employees must report all prescription medication to their supervisors when reporting to duty. The captain of the vessel is always in charge and shall brief passengers on manifest procedures, safe-loading procedures, use of USCG-approved PFD, personnel seating, and storage of personnel luggage and cargo. OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 3 of 11
4.2 Helicopter Safety and Helicopter Underwater Egress Training 4.2.1 General Helicopter Safety Guidelines Nexen employees and contractors that use a helicopter for transportation to and from an offshore facility must follow these general guidelines: a) When transferring by helicopter, the pilot is always in command. b) Inform the pilot and dispatcher if you are first-time passenger. c) Store and secure belongings in the cargo area. d) Long pants are required to enter the helicopter. e) Sleeveless shirts or tank tops are prohibited. f) Petroleum or chemical-saturated clothing or shoes is prohibited. g) Proper shoes are required no thongs, sandals, slippers, or flip-flops. h) Don the required in-flight PPE, including: i. Hearing protection, such as ear muffs or ear plugs ii. Seat belt iii. Inflatable PFD i) All seating arrangements are assigned by the pilot or the Helicopter Landing Officer. j) Do not smoke on the heliport landing area onshore and on the landing platform offshore. k) The use of all tobacco products are prohibited onboard the helicopter. l) Read the safety briefing card before taking off. Note the type and location of all emergency exits. m) Follow the pilot s instructions at all times. The pilot has the authority to refuse passage to anyone considered to be an unsafe passenger. n) Declare any magnetic or hazardous material. o) Under no circumstances are firearms, alcoholic beverages, or illegal drugs permitted aboard the helicopters or at any worksite. p) Carry pipes, poles, and other long items horizontally so that they do not strike the rotor. q) Take care not to damage the helicopter s floats when loading and unloading your luggage and cargo. 4.2.2 Boarding and Departing Helicopter Guidelines When boarding or departing a helicopter, use the following guidelines: a) When arriving to the heliport, check in with dispatcher. OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 4 of 11
b) Accurate weight for both person and luggage is needed when signing in on the manifest. c) Remove and stow headgear before approaching a helicopter. d) Always embark in a crouched position in the pilots view and on his command. e) Never walk around the tail rotor or under the tail boom of the helicopter. f) Keep clear of the landing zone or helipad until the helicopter has landed. g) Approach or depart from a helicopter: i. Only after the pilot has given permission. ii. Remain well clear of the tail rotor at all times. Approach and disembark from the helicopter toward the front of the craft. Under no circumstances should you walk under the tail rotor or tail boom. iii. In a crouched position well below the rotor tips. In high winds or unusual conditions, the main rotor blades can dip below six feet level anywhere around the aircraft. h) Stay in view of the pilot at all times when approaching or departing the helicopter. i) Provide the pilot with all information requested before boarding a helicopter. This may include your name, total weight (including your gear), your company affiliate and destination. j) Remain well clear of the tail rotor at all times. Do not walk under the tail rotor or tail boom under any circumstances. k) Keep a firm grip on all hand carried articles while walking to and from the helicopter. l) Use the step to get in and out of the aircraft. 4.2.3 Helicopter Safety When using helicopters, passengers must: a) Be HUET trained every 5 years. b) Make themselves aware of all exits and safety equipment locations upon boarding the flight c) Always enter or leave the helicopter in the safe access/egress area. This is explained during the pre-flight briefing. As a rule, this is at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the helicopter, avoiding the tail rotor area. Exercise special tail rotor caution when retrieving baggage from the tail section of the helicopter d) Secure lightweight articles, such as coats, hats or other loose items inside passenger baggage to prevent them from being sucked into the rotor blades or blown overboard. e) Respect flight provided safety equipment. Do not tamper with this equipment. OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 5 of 11
f) Maintain windsocks, helideck markings, and lighting in accordance with the applicable government regulations. g) Keep the helideck clean and free of protruding objects at all times. The surface must be of a non-skid nature. h) Do not use the crane during helicopter operations. i) Carry only one piece of luggage from the helideck at any one time. Always keep one hand on the handrail. 4.3 Water Safety and Survival Nexen personnel that work on or around water will be issued a PFD. The PFD must be carried with you at all times when traveling to and working on, around, or near water. All personnel must adhere to the following: a) Each employee working on or near water must have a USCG-approved PFD (Refer to Table 1 Types of Personal Flotation Devices). All personnel must wear a PFD while transferring to and from structures located over water. b) Each employee working on or near the water must wear an approved work vest. Work vests are considered U.S. Coast Guard Type 5 PFD. Type 1 work vests are PFDs that are commonly seen at the muster stations on offshore platforms. Type 1 PFDs provide the most buoyancy. Generally speaking however, they are too bulky to allow persons to work comfortably. When evacuating from platforms Type 1 PFDs are the preferred choice of personal flotation devices. Do not jump into the water unless it is the only means of evacuation. When in the water, stay calm, stay in a group, conserve energy, conserve body heat, and await assistance. Table 1 Types of Personal Flotation Devices Type 1 - This is the most buoyant design. It allows the wearer to float high in the water. It was designed to turn most unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water. The bright orange color is more visible to rescuers. This PFD tends to be bulky and less comfortable Type 2 This PFD is less buoyant that the Type 1; however, it can turn many unconscious wearers to a face-up position in the water. It is less bulky and more comfortable than a Type 1. Type 3 This PFD is generally the most comfortable for continuous wear and provides more freedom of movement. It is not the best for use in rough water because of the position of the wearer in the water. The wearer may have to tilt the head back to avoid a face-down position in the water. OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 6 of 11
Type 4 This PFD is a throwable device to use as a backup to a wearable PFD. The user must hold on to the device and is not designed for an unconscious person. This PFD cannot be used for long periods of time in rough water. Type 5 This PFD is called a work vest. It is used for working where freedom of movement is needed and is good for continuous wear. Inflatable vests are also in this category. 4.3.1 Falls from Platforms When a fall from an offshore platform occurs, a person must observe the following guidelines if possible: a) Orient yourself in the water, and then, if safe to do so, move under the platform away from any boats. b) Look for rescue equipment and listen for instructions. c) Avoid swimming long distances. Survival depends on the conservation of energy. 4.3.2 Water Entry from Heights Abandonment of a platform by jumping into the water can be hazardous and should only be done if there is no other means of escape. If a jump is necessary, observe the following procedures: a) Before jumping, get as close as possible to the water. b) Remove your safety (hard) hat. It could strike your head or face upon entry causing injury. c) Put on and firmly secure a PFD, if time permits. d) Look to see that your targeted landing area is clear of other personnel, protruding objects, and debris. e) Protect your mouth and nose by placing the palm of your hand directly over your mouth and pinch your nose with the thumb and finger. f) Secure the PFD by clamping a free arm across your chest and grasping the shoulder strap of the PFD. g) Do not dive. Look directly ahead at the horizon and stand straight. Take a deep breath. Jump feet first, keeping your body erect and your ankles crossed or your legs together. 4.3.3 Hypothermia Exposure to water may cause loss of body heat and hypothermia. The best defense against hypothermia is to avoid going into the water. However, if you fall into the water follow these guidelines: OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 7 of 11
a) Do not discard clothing that will help trap heat. b) Avoid moving as much as possible. c) Wear a PFD to: i. Reduces the need to move. ii. Helps insulate against heat loss. d) Draw your knees up into the H.E.L.P. position (Heat Escape Lessening Position) which helps to conserve body heat. (Refer to Figure 1 H.E.L.P. and Huddle Positions.) e) If several persons are in the water, huddle together to conserve body heat (Refer to Figure 1). Figure 1 H.E.L.P. and Huddle Positions A person suffering from hypothermia should be given assistance as soon as possible by doing the following: a) Strip off all the wet clothing. b) Wrap the person in a warm sleeping bag or blankets. c) Try to keep the person awake. d) Do not give the victim alcohol, warm drinks, or food. These do not help warm the person and they can pose a choking hazard. The Hypothermia Chart (Refer to Table 2 Hypothermia Chart) gives the approximate amount of time a person has until they are exhausted or the expected time of survival if they are in the water. OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 8 of 11
Table 2 Hypothermia Chart Water Temperature (F) Time till Exhaustion Expected time of Survival 32.5 Under 15 minutes Under 15-45 minutes 32.5-40.0 15-30 minutes 30-90 minutes 40-50 30-60 minutes 1-3 hours 50-60 1-2 hours 1-6 hours 60-70 2-7 hours 2-40 hours 70-80 3-12 hours 3 hours -indefinitely Over 80 Indefinitely 4.3.4 Swing Rope Transfers A swing rope is commonly used to transfer personnel from boats to the landing area of the platform. Using a swing rope can be demanding, especially in moderate to heavy sea conditions. Follow all severe weather restriction guidelines. Note Transfers should occur only during daylight unless approved by person in charge. Transfer by the swing rope: a) Deck hand should always be available for swing transfers. b) Personnel shall face where the boat is bumping against the offshore structure, if seas allow boat to bump the structure, or where boat is at a safe position as determined by the Boat Captain. c) Use correct rope for outboard or inboard swing. d) Have both hands and arms free, catch the knotted rope when the boat is at top of a swell, and swing to the structure by pushing off from the boat with your feet. e) Do not let the swing rope get between your legs. Always keep feet and legs clear of the structure's landing. f) Ensure there is proper lighting of the boat or platform landing area. g) Wear a Type 1 PFD while transferring. Note Do not carry luggage, tools, or any other items while transferring by swing rope. 4.4 Training The Health, Safety, Environment, and Social Responsibility (HSE&SR) Department is responsible for obtaining the documentation that the training has been performed and is responsible for any employee training required by this OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 9 of 11
recommended practice/written program. A copy of relevant training documentation must be furnished to the HSE&SR department from those employees whose work location varies and will be stored at the Nexen Lafayette office. The training will follow standard instruction and, at a minimum, contain the training requirements established by: a) API RP T-1 Recommended Practice for Orientation Program for Personnel Going Offshore for the First Time b) API RP T-4 Recommended Practice for Training of Offshore Personnel in Non- Operating Emergencies c) API RP T-7 Recommended Practice for Training of Personnel in Rescue of Persons in Water. Currently, training will be provided by authorized third-party providers. Training not provided by the providers listed below will have to be approved by Nexen s HSE&SR Department. The following local third-party providers are: a) Safety Management Systems, 2916 N. University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70507 b) Occupational Safety & Training, Inc., 1209 Tool Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560 c) Marine Survival and Training Center, P.O. Box 42890, Lafayette LA 70504 5.0 REFERENCES The following references are relevant to the implementation of this document: API RP T1, Recommended Practice for Orientation Program for Personnel Going Offshore for the First Time API RP T-4, Recommended Practice for Training of Offshore Personnel in Non- Operating Emergencies API RP T-7, Recommended Practice for Training of Personnel in Rescue of Persons in Water 6.0 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS There are no documents to support the implementation this document. OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 10 of 11
7.0 REVISION NOTES Revision Section(s) Description of Changes OFFSHORE TRAVEL GUIDELINES NXY000-080-SF-GL-0000-0001 11 of 11