The audit was part of our follow-up of the Martin Linge development project and took place between 11 and 24 January 2019.

Objective

For materials handling, the objective of the audit was to verify that systems for preventing accidents and injuries relating to materials handling, cranes and lifting in the commissioning phase and preparations for operation comply with the regulatory requirements.

For work at height, we wanted to follow up the management of risk and verify activities in the commissioning phase within scaffolding and access techniques.

For the working environment, our objective was to verify that the management of risk to health in the working environment in the commissioning phase complied with requirements. We also wanted to assess whether Equinor’s management of risk to health is adequate in order for the facility under operation to meet the working environment requirements as set out in the regulations.

Furthermore, we wished to follow up findings from previous audits of Martin Linge within materials handling, work at height and the working environment.

Result

The audit revealed that Equinor had failed to correct non-conformities we had previously pointed out. We have on this basis already issued the company with an order.

The audit also identified nine non-conformities and one improvement point. The non-conformities related to:

  • Failure to secure adequate competence
  • Procedures for crane and lifting operations
  • Materials handling
  • Defective access arrangements
  • Defective use of lifting gear
  • Deficient use of enterprise of competence
  • Scaffolding
  • Deficient notification and reporting of incidents
  • Management of risk of musculoskeletal disorders

The improvement point related to the chemical working environment.

What happens now?

We have asked Equinor to report back to us by 5 April 2019 concerning how the non-conformities will be addressed, with a description of the company’s plans and associated deadlines. We also asked the company to give us their assessment of the improvement point we observed.