What legal idea makes the OIM always responsible for keeping everyone and everything on the platform safe?

The legal idea that makes the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) always responsible for keeping everyone and everything on the platform safe is statutory ultimate responsibility, often referred to as an absolute statutory duty. This concept is directly imposed by specific laws and regulations, rather than being a contractual obligation or a matter of company policy alone. A statutory duty is a legal requirement established by governmental legislation, meaning it is mandatory and enforceable by law. The OIM is the individual legally appointed by the owner or operator of an offshore installation to be the person in overall charge and control of that installation. This appointment comes with a non-delegable duty, meaning that while the OIM can assign specific tasks or duties related to safety to other competent personnel, they cannot delegate away their final and overriding legal accountability for the overall safety outcomes. Even if a delegated task is performed incorrectly or a safety breach occurs due to the actions of others, the OIM remains ultimately responsible for ensuring that the platform's safety management system is effective and that all necessary precautions are implemented and maintained. For instance, if an OIM delegates the inspection of a critical safety device to a technician, but the inspection is not carried out correctly, the OIM remains ultimately accountable for the failure to ensure the device's safety. This responsibility extends to the health, safety, and welfare of all persons on the installation, the integrity of the structure, and the safe operation of all equipment.