95-28175. Training of Lessee and Contractor Employees Engaged in Oil and Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 221 (Thursday, November 16, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 57560-57561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28175]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

30 CFR Part 250


Training of Lessee and Contractor Employees Engaged in Oil and 
Gas and Sulphur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of a public workshop and a pilot testing program.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a public workshop and a pilot testing 
program that Minerals Management Service (MMS) will conduct. The public 
workshop will assist MMS to acquire additional information and comments 
pertinent to the recently published training proposed rule and the 
pilot testing program. The purpose of the pilot testing program is to 
assess the drilling training and testing that lessee and contract 
employees receive.

DATES: MMS will conduct the public workshop on December 6, 1995, from 
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the location listed in the ADDRESSES 
section.

ADDRESSES: MMS will hold the workshop in the MMS Gulf of Mexico 
Regional Office located at 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70123-2394.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wilbon Rhome, Information and Training Branch, telephone [phone] 
or FAX [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MMS recently published a proposed rule (60 
FR 55683, November 2, 1995) concerning Subpart O--Training, in the 
Federal Register. New elements that provide more flexibility include 
alternative training methods and third-party training program 
accreditation (previously termed ``certification''). In order to 
discuss the new elements of the training rule, MMS will conduct the 
workshop listed in the ADDRESSES section. The workshop will include a 
session on the proposal to allow third parties to accredit to accredit 
worker training programs. Currently, MMS accredits these programs.

[[Page 57561]]

    MMS will also present a summary of the third-party accreditation 
comments received from the August 5, 1994, advance notice of proposed 
rulemaking (59 FR 39991). We will outline the range of options that we 
have identified for third-party accreditation. These options range from 
MMS accrediting third parties to having non-profit organizations 
accredit them. The workshop will provide an additional opportunity to 
discuss third-party options.
    MMS has launched a pilot testing program that will initially cover 
the drilling well-control training that lessee and contract employees 
receive. Under the authority located at paragraph (b) of 30 CFR 
250.215, MMS may test trainees at a training facility.
    MMS has gathered sample test questions from various schools. These 
questions form the current data base that MMS is using to generate 
tests. MMS will randomly visit schools to administer a test to trainees 
in drilling. The test will take place after the trainees complete the 
course. Any trainee who does not pass the MMS-conducted test must pass 
a retest administered by the school to continue to work in drilling in 
the OCS.
    MMS is currently administering a written test at a small sampling 
of schools. MMS will use the workshop as an opportunity to exchange 
ideas about the pilot testing program.
    MMS encourages all interested parties to attend this workshop. The 
workshop will include presentations by MMS and an open comment period.

    Registration: The workshop will not have a registration fee. 
However, to assess the probable number of participants, MMS requests 
participants to register by contacting Wilbon Rhome, Information and 
Training Branch, telephone [phone] or FAX [phone]. 
Limited seating is available and will be on a first-come-first-seated 
basis.
    Proceedings: MMS will have a service transcribe the proceedings and 
make copies available for purchase. We will supply the details during 
the workshop for obtaining copies of the proceedings.

    Dated: November 3, 1995.
Thomas M. Gernhofer,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 95-28175 Filed 11-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M