The company was given the OSH improvement notice by an inspector for the National Offshore Safety and Environmental Management Authority for a "risk of permanent, progressive and/or irreversible musculoskeletal disorders as a result of personnel working on structures attached to vibrating mechanical equipment" on the Vincent facility. 

 

The inspector found work was being undertaken on Module M11, where fixed rotating and reciprocating equipment are located, as part of the oil separation and water injection package, but the equipment posed a serious vibration hazard.

 

NOPSEMA said that Woodside had failed to demonstrate a whole body vibration assessment had been undertaken, that no management plan had been developed, and that no information or training was provided to workers on the risks or mitigation techniques.

 

That was despite the risks being identified in the Vincent safety case, which was last revised in June 2016, and Woodside's own risk and hazard guidelines. 

 

NOPSEMA said that could result in serious health issues, leading to irreversible musculoskeletal disorders if workers were exposed to the vibrations for an extended period.

 

Woodside has been given 90 days to complete an assessment of the risks and develop both engineering solutions and administrative controls to minimise the risks to its workers. 

 

A spokesperson for Woodside told Energy News that the health and safety of its people remained its "highest priority".

 

"We continue to engage with the regulator to address their concerns and close out this matter in a timely manner," the spokesperson said.

 

"Woodside has a long history of safely and reliably operating its facilities, and takes seriously its commitment to providing a safe working environment for its employees and contractors."

 

In February Woodside was served with another OHS improvement notice for the increased risk of multiple serious injuries or fatalities on the Goodwyn Alpha, because it had failed to test the facility's lifeboats in the water for almost four years.

 

Woodside immediately promised to test the vessels and rectify any defects that may have developed in the past four years by the end of May.

 

The Vincent field lies in WA-28-L, 50km offshore Exmouth in 350m of water. 

 

Woodside holds a 60% interest in the field with the remaining 40% being held by Mitsui E&P. 

 

Discovered in the Lower Barrow Group in 1998, oil production from the field started in August 2008 and peaked at 35,800bopd. 

 

Estimated recoverable reserves were 73 million barrels that are being developed with eight production wells, two water injectors and one gas injection well via the 120,000bbl Maersk Ngujima-Yin FPSO.

 

The same FPSO suffered a serious fire in 2009.

 

The facility, a converted tanker, is expected to get a life extension by taking the oil from the Laverda Canyon, Norton over Laverda and Cimatti oil accumulations as part of the Greater Enfield project.