HSEQ-360 Limited author Written Schemes of Examination (WSE) under LOLER 1998 for almost twenty offshore windfarms in the UK. Typically, this includes Services Lifts and ‘Man Riding’ components of Davit Cranes, typically utilised to initiate an emergency response.  

We believe our approach to Written Schemes of Examination is unique, calling upon a Chartered team of professionals across Asset Integrity, Metallurgy, Corrosion, Quality and Health and Safety. Written Schemes of Examination are also within the scope of our UKAS-accredited ISO certification.  

It is important for the ongoing development of offshore wind for costs to reduce, and the implementation of Written Schemes can reduce ongoing Operations and Maintenance costs significantly, and therefore contribute to reductions in the Levelized Cost of Energy. 

The use of a Written Scheme of Examination in accordance with Regulation 9 (3aiii) of The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 to amend the frequency of scheduled thorough examinations has been established as good practice in many industries for over twenty years. However, until recently, the WSE has not been well understood in offshore wind. It is a useful and vital tool in reducing ongoing costs, and a compelling argument can be made that safety is improved.  

In summary, a WSE is a mechanism within LOLER 1998 that allows the frequency of statutory inspections to be amended from a default position (six months for a Service Lift), by applying risk-based thinking, a staple part of our mindset as certified auditors in ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001. We believe our offering is unique, calling upon a Chartered team of professional across Asset Integrity, Metallurgy, Corrosion, Quality and Health and Safety. Our approach is:

  • To analyse data on a site by site and turbine by turbine basis, to identify an examination regime that maintains the highest levels of safety and maintains asset integrity. 
  • To evaluate the requirements and recommendations of Original Equipment Manufacturer’s, to develop a WSE that ensures the maintaining of warranties. 
  • Thoroughly evaluate the Operations and Maintenance history of each service lift, to identify trending defects and to assess the suitability for inclusion in a WSE. 
  • To work with and engage local stakeholders, such as Site Management and Statutory Inspection Contractors. 
  • Engaging in face-to-face sessions and hosting ‘lunch and learns’, to improve local understanding and confidence at local levels. 

 The benefits of implementing a WSE are extensive, and include (for a 175-turbine site):

  • Reduced turbine visits, from 350 to 175 per annum. 
  • Reducing the number of marine transfers required. That’s in the region of 700 fewer marine transfers per year (based on a two-person statutory inspection team). This exposes Technicians to a reduced risk exposure.    
  • Decreased downtime and associated impacts on production. 
  • Reduced demand for vessel space and associated environmental aspects and impacts. 
  • Simpler administration of Operations and Maintenance activities. 

At a smaller location of 30 assets, we found the following high-level benefits of implementing a WSE for Service Lifts:

  • Reduced examinations from 60 to 30. 
  • Decreased person days from 80 to 40. 
  • Reduced personnel costs by 50%. 
  • Reduced lost production from approximately £50,000 to £20,000. 

For further information on our range of services, please see www.hseq-360.co.uk, contact a member of the team on info@hseq-360.co.uk or call on 01493 446595.