An Act to provide for the safety, health and welfare of persons on installations concerned with the underwater exploitation and exploration of mineral resources in the waters in or surrounding the United Kingdom, and generally for the safety of such installations and the prevention of accidents on or near them.
[27th July 1971]
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Act restricted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 27(3)(4)
C2Power to repeal or modify Act conferred (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c.15), ss.1, 3(1)(d)
C3Act modified (E.W.S.) (6.3.1992) by Offshore Safety Act 1992 (c. 15), s. 1(5)(a)
C4Power to repeal or modify Act conferred (15.9.1992) by S.I. 1992/1728 (N.I. 17), arts. 1(1), 3(3)(a)
Commencement Information
I1Act not in force at Royal Assent see s. 14(2); Act wholly in force at 31.8.1972
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1 repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) and (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I; S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
Textual Amendments
F2S. 2 repealed (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 3(1)(a) (with reg. 6(1)); S.R. 1993/384, reg 3(1)(a) (with reg. 6(1))
Textual Amendments
F3S. 3 repealed (E.W.S.) (30.6.1996) and (N.I.) (21.7.1996) by S.I. 1996/913, reg. 25; S.R. 1996/228, reg. 25
Textual Amendments
F4S. 4 repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) and (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I; S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
Textual Amendments
F5S. 5 repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) and (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I; S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
Textual Amendments
F6S. 6 repealed (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 3(1)(e) (with reg. 6(1)); S.R. 1993/384, reg. 3(1)(e) (with reg. 6(1))
F7(1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F7(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3)The punishment for an offence created by regulations under this Act shall be—
(a)on summary conviction a fine not exceeding [F8level 5 on the standard scale],
(b)on conviction on indictment imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or a fine, or both,
but without prejudice to any further restriction on the punishments which can be awarded contained in the regulations, and without prejudice to the exclusion of proceedings on indictment by the regulations.
(4)The operation of any regulations made under this Act may be excluded in whole or in part F9. . . in relation to any particular installation by directions of the Secretary of State given in such manner and to such persons as he thinks appropriate.
(5)Any exemption or exclusion F10. . . by directions of the Secretary of State under this Act, may be made subject to the imposition of conditions specified by the F10. . . directions.
(6)Where in pursuance of this section a person is exempted or excluded from the requirements of any provision of this Act, or of regulations under this Act, but subject to a condition, and the condition is not observed, the exemption or exclusion shall not have effect, and proceedings may be brought in respect of any breach of duty as if the exemption or exclusion had not had effect.
F7(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F7(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F77(1)-(2) and (7)-(8) repealed (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 3(1)(f) (with reg. 6(1)); S.R. 1993/384, reg. 3(1)(f) (with reg. 6(1))
F8S. 7(3) a reference to level 5 on the standard scale is substituted as regards any summary offence for the reference to £400 (E.W.) by virtue of (E.W.) Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 40, 46, (S.), Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975 (c. 21, SIF 39:1), s. 289G and (N.I.) S.I. 1984/703 (N.I. 3), arts. 5, 6
F9Words in s. 7(4) repealed (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 3(1)(f) (with reg. 6(1)); S.R. 1993/384, reg. 3(1)(f) (with reg. 6(1))
F10Words in s. 7(5) repealed (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 3(1)(f) (with reg. 6(1)); S.R. 1993/384, reg. 3(1)(f) (with reg. 6(1))
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C5S. 7(4) and (5) amended (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 4(2) (with reg. 6(2)); S.R. 1993/384, reg. 4(1) (with reg. 6(2)
Textual Amendments
F11S. 8 repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch.
(1)Where an offence under this Act which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
In this subsection “director”, in relation to a body corporate established by or under any enactment for the purpose of carrying on under public ownership any industry or part of an industry or undertaking, being a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of that body corporate.
(2)In proceedings for an offence under this Act an averment in any process of the fact that anything was done or situated within [F12controlled waters] shall, until the contrary is proved, be sufficient evidence of that fact as stated in the averment.
(3)In proceedings for an offence under section 3, F13. . .of this Act, it shall be a defence for the accused to prove—
(a)that he has used all due diligence to enforce the execution of this Act, and of any relevant regulation made under this Act, and
(b)that any relevant contravention was committed without his consent, connivance or wilful default.
(4)Proceedings for any offence under this Act may be taken, and the offence may for all incidental purposes be treated as having been committed, in any place in the United Kingdom.
(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F14
Textual Amendments
F12Words substituted by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch. 3 para. 8
F13Words in s. 9(3) repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) and (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I; S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
Textual Amendments
(1)This section has effect as respects—
(a)a duty imposed on any person by any provision of this Act, or
(b)a duty imposed on any person by any provision of regulations made under this Act which expressly applies the provisions of this section.
(2)Breach of any such duty shall be actionable so far, and only so far, as it causes personal injury, and references in section 1 of the M1Fatal Accidents Act 1846, as it applies in England and Wales, and [F16in Article 3(1) of the M2Fatal Accidents (Northern Ireland) Order 1977], to a wrongful act, neglect or default shall include references to any breach of a duty which is so actionable.
(3)Subsection (2) above is without prejudice to any action which lies apart from the provisions of this Act.
(4)Neither section 9(3) of this Act, nor any defences afforded by regulations made in pursuance of section 7(2)(b) of this Act, shall afford a defence in any civil proceedings, whether brought by virtue of this section or not.
F17(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F17(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7)In this section “personal injury” includes any disease and any impairment of a person’s physical or mental condition and includes any fatal injury.
Textual Amendments
F16Words substituted by S.I. 1977/1251 (N.I. 18), Sch. 1 para. 6
F17S. 11(5)(6) repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) and (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I; S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C6S. 11 applied by S.I. 1989/1029, reg. 11
C7S. 11 amended (E. W.) by Fatal Accidents Act 1976 (c. 30), Sch. 1 para. 2
Marginal Citations
M21977/1251 (N.I. 18).
(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
[F18“the 1995 Regulations” means the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations 1995;]
[F19“controlled waters” means—
tidal waters and parts of the sea in or adjacent to Great Britain up to the seaward limits of territorial waters; and
any area designated by order under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964;]
[F19“installation manager” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the 1995 Regulations;]
“offence under this Act,” includes an offence under regulations made under this Act,
[F19“offshore installation” has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the 1995 Regulations;]
[F19“owner”, in relation to an offshore installation, means the person who is, in relation to the installation, the duty holder as defined by regulation 2(1) of the 1995 Regulations in relation to that installation;]
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under this Act,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F22
F23(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F23(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)It is hereby declared that, notwithstanding that this Act may affect individuals or bodies corporate outside the United Kingdom, it applies to any individual whether or not he is a British subject, and to any body corporate whether or not incorporated under the law of any part of the United Kingdom.
(5)Any reference in this Act to a contravention of a provision of this Act or of regulations made under this Act includes a reference to a failure to comply with such a provision.
(6)Any reference in this Act to any enactment or Act of Parliament includes a reference to an enactment or Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
(7)Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, extended or applied by or under any other enactment.
Extent Information
E1This version of this provision extends to England and Wales and Scotland only; a separate version has been created for Northern Ireland only.
Textual Amendments
F18S. 12(1): Definition of “the 1995 Regulations”inserted (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 1
F19S. 12(1): Definitions of “controlled waters”, “installation manager”, “offshore installation”and “owner”substituted (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 2-5
F20S. 12(1): Definition of “designated area”repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
F21S. 12(1): Definition of “foreign sector of the continental shelf”repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
F22Definitions repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch. 3 para. 11(1)(d), Sch. 4
F23S. 12(2)(3) repealed (E.W.S.) (20.6.1995) by S.I. 1995/738, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. 1
(1)In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
[F41“the 1995 Regulations” means the Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (Management and Administration) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1995;]
[F42“controlled waters” means tidal waters and parts of the sea in or adjacent to Northern Ireland up to the seaward limits of territorial waters,]
[F42“installation manager” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1) of the 1995 Regulations;]
“offence under this Act,” includes an offence under regulations made under this Act,
[F42“offshore installation” has the same meaning as in regulation 3 of the 1995 Regulations;]
[F42“owner”, in relation to an offshore installation, means the person who is, in relation to the installation, the duty holder as defined by regulation 2(1) of the 1995 Regulations in relation to that installation;]
“prescribed” means prescribed by regulations under this Act,
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F45
F46(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F46(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4)It is hereby declared that, notwithstanding that this Act may affect individuals or bodies corporate outside the United Kingdom, it applies to any individual whether or not he is a British subject, and to any body corporate whether or not incorporated under the law of any part of the United Kingdom.
(5)Any reference in this Act to a contravention of a provision of this Act or of regulations made under this Act includes a reference to a failure to comply with such a provision.
(6)Any reference in this Act to any enactment or Act of Parliament includes a reference to an enactment or Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland.
(7)Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, extended or applied by or under any other enactment.
Extent Information
E2This version of this provision extends to Northern Ireland only; a separate version has been created for England and Wales and Scotland only.
Textual Amendments
F41S. 12(1): Definition of “the 1995 Regulations”inserted (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. II para. 1
F42S. 12(1): Definitions of “controlled waters”, “installation manager”, “offshore installation”and “owner”substituted (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. II paras. 2-5
F43S. 12(1): Definition of “designated area”repealed (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
F44S. 12(1): Definition of “foreign sector of the continental shelf”repealed (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
F45Definitions repealed by Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982 (c. 23, SIF 86), s. 37, Sch. 3 para. 11(1)(d), Sch. 4
F46S. 12(2)(3) repealed (N.I.) (9.10.1995) by S.R. 1995/340, reg. 22, Sch. 1 Pt. I
(1)There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament—
(a)any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State under this Act, and
(b)any increase in money so payable under any other Act which is an increase attributable to this Act.
(2)Any receipts of the Secretary of State under this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
(1)This Act may be cited as the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971.
(2)This act shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order in a statutory instrument appoint, and an order under this subsection may appoint different dates for different provisions of this Act, or for different purposes.
(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F24
Textual Amendments
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C8Power of appointment conferred by s. 14(2) fully exercised
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F25Sch. repealed (E.W.S.) (23.8.1993) and (N.I.) (1.11.1993) by S.I. 1993/1823, reg. 3(1)(g) (with reg. 6(1)); S.R. 1993/384, reg. 3(1)(g) (with reg. 6(1))