The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking today in the Federal Register Reading Room soliciting public comments on improving the safety of helideck and aviation fuel operations on fixed offshore facilities. This notice is the most recent step in BSEE's continued efforts to strengthen safety on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

"We know that transportation accidents account for the majority of fatalities on the OCS, and that helicopter-related accidents are a significant concern" said BSEE Director Brian Salerno. "We are looking at our regulations to ensure that the aviation related areas over which we have jurisdiction have the benefit of rigorous safety standards."

Specifically, BSEE is seeking comments on whether to incorporate in its regulations certain industry and international standards for the design, construction and maintenance of offshore helidecks, as well as standards for aviation fuel quality, storage and handling. The bureau is also soliciting information on past accidents or other incidents involving helidecks, helicopters or aviation fuel on or near fixed OCS facilities.

BSEE is responsible for the regulation of offshore facilities engaged in oil and gas operations, including the safety of helidecks and aviation fuel storage and handling on fixed offshore facilities. This notice begins the process of addressing any additional safety issues through new regulations.

The Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking can be viewed hereThe public is invited to submit comments starting tomorrow. Comments can be submitted by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the entry titled Enter Keyword or ID, enter BSEE-2014-0001, then click search.

Mail or hand-carry comments to the Department of the Interior; Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement; Attention: Regulations Development Branch; 381 Elden Street, HE3313; Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817