How we manage operational risk
We take a systematic approach to managing safety and risk in our operations
Our operating management system (OMS) provides the basis for managing our operations in a systematic way.
Our safety and operational risk function
Our safety and operational risk (S&OR) function supports the business in delivering safe, reliable and compliant operations across the business. S&OR:
- Sets clear requirements.
- Maintains an independent view of operating risk.
- Provides deep technical support to the operating businesses.
- Intervenes and escalates as appropriate to cause corrective action.
S&OR consists of a central team and teams deployed in BP’s businesses. Both teams report to the group chief executive via the head of S&OR, independently of the business line. S&OR includes some of BP’s top engineers and safety specialists, several of whom have prior experience in industries where major hazards have to be managed, including the military, nuclear energy and space exploration.
Enlarge imageCentral team
The central S&OR team serves as the custodian of group requirements and runs S&OR audit and capability programmes, with the support of a substantial dedicated audit team. Along with deployed S&OR teams, they have the right to intervene where necessary, but the aim is that all BP operations manage their risks effectively, so that intervention is not needed.
Deployed experts
S&OR has a deployed section that works alongside the business line to provide a view of risk that is independent of the line, including sites’ operating conduct and areas such as capability, leadership and culture in operating businesses and projects. Its members help the businesses apply our standards by providing tools and guidance to support conformance to our OMS, and provide an overview of how operational risks are being managed, business by business.
Business line accountabilities
Operating businesses remain accountable for delivering safe, reliable and compliant operations, with S&OR acting to provide independent advice, scrutiny, challenge and, if needed, intervention. They have the responsibility to identify and manage risks and bring together people with the right skills and competencies. They work in collaboration with deployed S&OR subject specialists and are also subject to independent scrutiny and assurance.
This way of working helps to build expertise and provide deep technical support in the area of safety and operational risk, while at the same time delivering independent assurance.
This way of working helps to build expertise and provide deep technical support in the area of safety and operational risk, while at the same time delivering independent assurance.
S&OR interventions to cause corrective action
S&OR is providing deep technical expertise to our businesses in North America to support the development and implementation of improvement plans for the control of work element of our OMS. This OMS element focuses on the safe execution of work activity in the field through identifying and mitigating risk.
S&OR supports the development of senior leadership capability to allow them to successfully lead the improvement programme and then, through classroom training and coaching in the field, S&OR supports these leaders in the development of the capability of their field teams to skilfully apply BP’s control of work processes.
S&OR supports the development of senior leadership capability to allow them to successfully lead the improvement programme and then, through classroom training and coaching in the field, S&OR supports these leaders in the development of the capability of their field teams to skilfully apply BP’s control of work processes.
Attestation
The information on this page forms part of the information reviewed and reported on by Ernst & Young as part of BP's 2012 sustainability reporting.
BP Annual Report
Our 2012 update on building a stronger, safer BP
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