Systemic approach to managing fire safety on offshore installations

Oil and gas organisations have shifted from a prescriptive approach to a goal-setting approach to safety. However, safety and in particular fire safety still tends to be analysed in isolation, though fire loss is a result of the interactive and interrelated parts that constitute an oil and gas organisation as a whole. This paper presents a systemic approach to managing fire safety in oil and gas offshore installations. It is hoped that this systemic approach will lead not only to a more effective management of fire safety, but also to more effective management of safety, health and the environment for the oil and gas organisation as a whole.