An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has resulted in the offshore industry receiving a stark warning that 'more must be done' to improve their safety record.

The message came at the launch of the KP3 report after a three-year investigation and the inspection of nearly 100 offshore installations. The research was carried out by the HSE's Aberdeen based Offshore Division into the safety and integrity of offshore installations and the equipment on them.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Ian Whewell, Head of HSE's Offshore Division, said: "To prevent major accidents it is vital that companies have effective process safety systems to ensure plant and equipment is properly maintained and working as intended.

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"Our advice to the industry is clear - when looking at and testing systems and procedures on installations, companies must take an holistic approach and ensure that all those parts that need to work together to prevent a major incident do precisely that."

Industry body Oil and Gas UK said the report revealed the need for more work to be done, despite current investment in maintenance.

Malcolm Webb, Chief Executive of Oil and Gas UK, said: "No-one in this industry is in any doubt about the importance of asset integrity, which is the key not only to the safety of our installations but also to the longer term sustainability of the industry.

"Over the last three years, industry has spent more than £3 billion in the area of asset maintenance and we have done much to highlight and shift the focus to process safety and asset integrity management.

"However, the report highlights that there is work still to be done and that in some areas we are not yet where we need to be."

(JM)