Executive Council
Natural Resources
Service NL
February 15, 2017

Highlighting the Health and Safety of Offshore Workers

Provincial Government Remembers the Ocean Ranger Tragedy

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is joining all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians today to mark the 35^th anniversary of the Ocean Ranger’s sinking, which resulted in the loss of 84 lives.

“As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, we will always remember February 15, 1982, and the loss of 84 lives. It was among the darkest days in the province’s history and over the last 35 years, significant emphasis has been placed on learning from that tragedy to ensure the health and safety of offshore workers. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family members and friends who lost loved ones in that tragic event.”
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

To ensure that the highest standards are in place for worker safety, environmental protection and management of petroleum resources within Canada's offshore oil and gas activities, the federal and provincial governments are working together to modernize the regulatory framework.

“We are focused on having the most up-to-date regulatory framework supporting the highest standards for worker safety, environmental protection and management of petroleum resources. We are modernizing the framework through the Frontier and Offshore Regulatory Renewal Initiative, which is a partnership of federal and provincial government departments and includes participation of the offshore petroleum boards.”
- The Honourable Siobhan Coady, Minister of Natural Resources

A comprehensive occupational health and safety regime in the Newfoundland and Labrador offshore is in place under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act.

“The health and safety of offshore workers is of the utmost importance to our government. We are continuously ensuring that everyone in our offshore projects is working in a safe and healthy manner. Legislation provides clear and enforceable regulations to govern offshore occupational health and safety, as well as the appropriate regulatory provisions to ensure worker safety.”
- The Honourable Eddie Joyce, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for WorkplaceNL

The Provincial Government is committed to ensuring the health and safety of the province’s offshore workers and the protection of the environment.

QUICK FACTS

• Today marks the 35^th anniversary of the sinking of the Ocean Ranger, which resulted in the loss of 84 lives.
• Currently, the regulatory framework governing oil and gas activities in Canada's frontier and offshore oil and gas areas is being modernized through the Frontier and Offshore Regulatory Renewal Initiative (FORRI) - a partnership of federal and provincial government departments and includes participation of the offshore petroleum boards.
• The new regulations are performance-based, allowing for innovation and advances in technology by those working in the offshore to be incorporated.

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Media contacts:

Michelle Cannizzaro Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3960 michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca	Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur Media Relations Manager Service NL 709-729-4748, 730-2977 ginamacarthur@gov.nl.ca

2017 02 15                              9:15 a.m.