Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS)

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Explain the BSEE regulatory framework: 30 CFR 250 Subpart S, SEMS applicability (all OCS operators, lessees, and their contractors), the relationship between BSEE and the former MMS (Minerals Management Service), and how the Deepwater Horizon disaster drove the creation of mandatory SEMS.
• Implement Safety and Environmental Information: documentation of facility design, construction, and operation information equivalent to PSM’s Process Safety Information but expanded to include environmental data — the foundation that every other SEMS element relies upon.
• Conduct hazard analysis per SEMS: facility-level hazard analysis, job safety analysis for operations and maintenance, identification of major hazards, consequence evaluation, and the analysis methodology that determines the safeguards required for each identified hazard.
• Manage change per SEMS: changes to facility design, equipment, procedures, and personnel that could affect safety or environmental performance, the review process (technical basis, impact on safety/environment, modification to procedures, communication and training), and documentation.
• Develop and maintain SEMS operating procedures: procedures for each operating phase (startup, normal, temporary, emergency shutdown, emergency, normal shutdown), operating limits and consequences of deviation, and the annual review and certification that procedures reflect current operations.
• Implement safe work practices per SEMS: permit-to-work, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, hot work, and the safe work practice governance that controls high-risk activities on offshore facilities.
• Manage SEMS training: ensuring all personnel (operator and contractor) understand the hazards they may encounter and the procedures for safe operation, with documented training records and competency verification.
• Manage mechanical integrity and quality assurance: inspection, testing, and maintenance of safety-critical equipment (process equipment, safety systems, emergency systems), quality assurance for new equipment and modifications, and the asset integrity programme that prevents equipment failure.
• Apply SEMS II requirements: Stop Work Authority (SWA — every worker’s right and obligation to stop unsafe work without reprisal), Ultimate Work Authority (UWA — designating the person with final authority for safety on the facility), employee participation in safety programme development and implementation, and reporting of unsafe working conditions.
• Navigate the SEMS audit process: BSEE-approved audit service providers (ASPs), audit frequency requirements, audit scope (all SEMS elements), finding classification, corrective action management, audit report submission to BSEE, and the continuous improvement that auditing drives.

SEMS Elements + SEMS II Additions

• Safety and Environmental Information: facility design, construction, and operational documentation
• Hazard Analysis: facility-level, JSA, major hazard identification, consequence evaluation
• Management of Change: technical review, impact assessment, communication, documentation
• Operating Procedures: phase-specific, operating limits, annual review/certification
• Safe Work Practices: PTW, LOTO, confined space, hot work, governance
• Training: all personnel (operator + contractor), hazard awareness, competency, documentation
• Mechanical Integrity / Quality Assurance: inspection, testing, maintenance, QA for new equipment
• Pre-Startup Review: new/modified facilities, design verification, procedure readiness
• Emergency Response and Control: facility emergency plans, drills, coordination
• Investigation of Incidents: root cause analysis, recommendations, corrective action tracking
• Auditing: BSEE-approved ASPs, element coverage, findings, corrective action, BSEE submission
• Records and Documentation: retention requirements, accessibility, audit trail

SEMS II Additions

• Stop Work Authority (SWA): every worker’s right to stop unsafe work without reprisal
• Ultimate Work Authority (UWA): designated person with final safety authority on facility
• Employee Participation: involvement in SEMS development, hazard identification, improvement
• Reporting Unsafe Conditions: mechanisms for reporting without fear of retaliation

• No prior SEMS training required
• Offshore or oil and gas experience helpful
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English; professional proficiency required

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Offshore operators’ SEMS coordinators and HSE managers responsible for SEMS compliance
• Offshore installation managers (OIMs) who hold ultimate work authority on the facility
• Contractor company HSE managers whose personnel work on OCS facilities under SEMS
• SEMS auditors and audit team members preparing for or conducting SEMS audits
• Offshore safety officers and advisors who implement SEMS elements on facilities
• Regulatory affairs professionals managing BSEE compliance
• Onshore HSE professionals transitioning to offshore roles who need SEMS orientation

• Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) — YOU ARE HERE (offshore SEMS specialist)
• Process Safety Management (PSM) (onshore PSM per OSHA 1910.119)
• Offshore Oil and Gas Safety (broader offshore safety including SEMS overview)
• Oil and Gas Safety Management (management-level overview including SEMS)
• International Diploma in Oil and Gas Safety Management (SEMS at diploma depth)
• International Diploma in Process Safety Management (PSM at diploma depth)

PSM is onshore. SEMS is offshore. Both are management system standards for preventing catastrophic releases. This course + PSM course together provide complete onshore/offshore coverage.