Standards & Guidance
Guidance for the effective management of competence and training in emergency response for offshore, marine and energy operations.
ACOSTS — ASEAN Council for Offshore Safety and Training Standards
Last updated: 3 July 2026
These Guidelines are goal-setting and should be read together with the applicable ACOSTS standards, centre approval agreements, learner rules and any regulatory requirements that apply to a specific role, installation or jurisdiction.
These Guidelines describe how the effective management of competence and training in emergency response can be achieved using ACOSTS standards within a development framework of training, assessment, workplace drills, exercises, ongoing practice and formal assessment. They are goal-setting and are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive. ACOSTS standards, and the competence framework in which they sit, are designed to reflect recognised international best practice and to provide a consistent foundation for continual improvement in offshore competence and training across the ASEAN region. Ultimately, it is for employers, asset owners and operators to decide which arrangements are appropriate to address their emergency response needs, taking account of national regulation and the specific hazards of each installation or facility.
These Guidelines set out a framework for applying ACOSTS standards across the full spectrum of offshore emergency preparedness — from basic safety induction for all personnel, through specialist training, to those managing an emergency. They demonstrate how knowledge, skills and competence progress at each level of responsibility and how each role is integrated within a comprehensive emergency response framework. Whilst continual reference is made to the offshore environment, this guidance is also applicable to onshore facilities such as refineries, gas processing plants, terminals and other locations where hydrocarbons or other safety-critical energy operations are processed, stored or handled.
The adoption of these principles, together with the use of ACOSTS standards, is intended to support employers and operators in meeting their competence and training obligations. It does not replace applicable law, regulation or the operator's own emergency response arrangements.
For personnel with specific emergency response responsibilities, there is an increased focus on what they actually need to be able to do in an emergency. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that such individuals develop the necessary competencies before taking up their emergency response roles, through completing approved onshore training programmes and competence assessment where appropriate. Thereafter, recognition is given to practising, testing and reinforcing these competencies — as an individual or as part of a team — through practice in the offshore environment or, where appropriate, participation in specially designed onshore exercises. In this way, those responsible for responding to and managing an emergency are equipped to save lives and to protect assets and the environment. Personnel with no specific emergency response role are trained to take responsibility for their own personal safety, evacuation and survival in accordance with the instructions given to them.
The framework set out in these Guidelines shows how competence in emergency response can be developed, demonstrated and maintained. Responsibilities are shared between the asset owner/operator and the individual.
The asset owner/operator should identify the tasks likely to be carried out in an emergency, together with the command structure, and ensure that the roles and responsibilities of all personnel are clearly defined and understood. They should determine the training and competence requirements that apply, including those for roles not specifically defined in these Guidelines, and provide regular opportunities for personnel to practise and maintain competence.
These Guidelines identify the different categories of personnel who work on or visit offshore installations, show how the key functions for each category are established, set out how individuals should be trained in those functions, introduce methods of assessing competence against established criteria, and encourage the regular practice and review needed to maintain competence.
These Guidelines cover two broad categories of personnel:
All personnel who travel offshore to take part in work activity on an installation, and visiting personnel who travel offshore for reasons other than to participate in work activity (for example, familiarisation trips or those representing outside interests). Their main responsibility is their own personal safety, evacuation and survival.
Personnel appointed to defined emergency response roles, for whom training requirements, guidance and standards of competence have been developed. In addition to the common induction required of all personnel, these individuals must complete role-specific training, assessment and ongoing practice as set out in these Guidelines.
All personnel working at an offshore oil, gas or energy installation should complete the following baseline requirements before travelling offshore and maintain them as required:
Personnel who work offshore infrequently, or who have not visited a location within the previous 12 months, may be required to repeat elements of induction or refresher training, or to attend at more frequent intervals, as determined by the asset owner/operator.
Competence in emergency response is developed and maintained through a continuous four-stage process. Each stage references the relevant ACOSTS standard for the role.
Having trained and assessed personnel and deemed them competent, the asset owner/operator should provide regular opportunities to practise and maintain competence. Integration and realism are important: scenarios should be drawn up to closely reflect the potential hazards personnel might encounter on their installation, testing the people, equipment, procedures and the interfaces between them. A schedule of offshore emergency response practice should be linked to the hazards identified in the installation's safety case and may include, but is not limited to:
Where it is not possible to realistically simulate certain conditions offshore — for example incidents involving helicopters, live firefighting or launching lifeboats — arrangements should be made for personnel to receive further practice through the appropriate ACOSTS-approved training programme. Onshore and external-agency exercises should also be held at appropriate intervals to test wider interfaces.
ACOSTS standards, guidance and competence criteria have been developed for the following emergency response roles. In each case, personnel must first meet the common induction requirements, then complete role-specific training, workplace assessment and ongoing practice.
The person responsible for managing and controlling an emergency. Competence is confirmed through selection, training and formal assessment against the ACOSTS competence standard for controlling emergencies, supported by regular offshore practice and periodic re-assessment.
Personnel trained and assessed to the same emergency response management standard as the OIM, to assume control should the OIM be absent or incapacitated.
Leads the offshore emergency response team. Entry requires a valid Emergency Response Team Member qualification plus medical and fitness assessment. Competence is assessed onshore and offshore, with annual exercises and further training.
Responds to instructions to control the emergency. Requires common induction, medical and fitness assessment, ACOSTS-approved team member training, and ongoing offshore practice.
Responsible for the safe launch and handling of survival craft. Supplementary fall training is required where the coxswain must be competent in more than one fall system.
Confirms that personnel have mustered at the correct location. Competence is assessed offshore and maintained through regular offshore practice.
Co-ordinates the mustering of personnel during an emergency. Competence is assessed offshore and maintained through regular offshore practice.
Leads the emergency helideck team. Entry requires prior helideck experience, a current Emergency Helideck Team Member certificate and relevant aeronautical communications certification.
Supports helideck emergency operations. Requires common induction, medical and fitness assessment, ACOSTS-approved training and regular exercises.
Responds to critical process upsets and emergencies from the control room. Competence is assessed against the ACOSTS control room emergency response standard, with annual scenario exercises.
For installations that are not normally staffed, the operator selects appropriate competencies from the suite of ACOSTS standards and assigns multiple roles where sensible. Dedicated standards exist for the NUI Helicopter Landing Officer and NUI Helideck Team Member.
Reference is also made to Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV) crews, marine support-vessel crews, and production, drilling and well-control personnel, whose emergency duties should be identified and trained for by the asset owner/operator.
The intervals between further (refresher) training and practice are set out in the relevant ACOSTS standard. The table below summarises indicative intervals. Annual offshore exercises to test essential functions and interfaces apply in addition to onshore refresher training.
| Category / Role | Indicative Further-Training Interval |
|---|---|
| All offshore personnel (BOSIET → Further Offshore Emergency Training) | Every 4 years |
| Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) | Re-assessment every 3 years, plus annual exercise |
| Control Room Operator (CRO) | Every 2 years, plus annual exercise |
| Fire / Emergency Response Team Leader | Every 2 years |
| Fire / Emergency Response Team Member | Every 2 years |
| Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain | Every 2 years |
| Helicopter Landing Officer | Every 2 years |
| Emergency Helideck Team Member | Every 2 years |
| Normally Unattended Installation roles | Every 2 years |
| Muster Checker / Muster Co-ordinator | Maintained through regular offshore practice |
Intervals are indicative and are governed by the applicable ACOSTS standard and the asset owner/operator's Emergency Response Plan. External-agency and onshore co-ordination exercises should be held at least every 3 years.
Employers should make all reasonable efforts to ensure that emergency response refresher training is completed before an individual's current certificate expires.
A certificate confirms competence for those parts of an emergency response role that have been trained for and assessed. It does not, of itself, guarantee employment, offshore access, medical fitness or regulatory acceptance unless separately confirmed by the relevant employer, operator or authority.
The asset owner/operator should be able to demonstrate that an adequate system is in place for ensuring competence in emergency response, supported by fit-for-purpose records. This may include records of when and how offshore competencies were checked, a schedule of offshore practice, and evidence of attendance. Certificates issued by ACOSTS-approved centres are recorded centrally and can be verified through the ACOSTS Certificate Validation Checker. Approved centres and learners can manage registrations, results and records through the ACOSTS Hub.
It is not the intention of these Guidelines that operators keep extensive records of training conducted offshore beyond that necessary to show a system is in place and is effective.
Training and assessment against ACOSTS standards is delivered by ACOSTS-approved centres. Approval confirms that a centre has demonstrated appropriate facilities, equipment, instructors, assessment processes, emergency procedures, quality management and learner support systems. Where sensible and practicable, approved centres and operators may combine elements of training for complementary or overlapping emergency response roles, provided that the appropriate standard of competence is achieved for each role and that separate certificates are issued accordingly.
Centre approval, learner certification and qualification recognition are subject to formal application, audit, verification and applicable programme requirements. Nothing in these Guidelines grants automatic approval, accreditation or recognition.
The following terms are used throughout these Guidelines:
These Guidelines are provided for general information and stakeholder support. They are goal-setting and do not replace formal ACOSTS standards, written approval agreements, learner rules, certification rules, contractual documents, applicable regulatory requirements or legal advice. ACOSTS standards, approvals and digital tools are subject to formal application, verification, audit and applicable regulatory requirements. This guidance should not be taken to imply statutory, government or regulatory approval unless formally confirmed in writing by the relevant authority. Where courses involve regulatory or employer requirements, acceptance may vary by jurisdiction, employer and project.
For questions about these Guidelines, standards library access or centre approval, please contact: