[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 13731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6185]



[[Page 13731]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


One-Year Provisional Approval Period of Arco's Safety System 
Training Program (SIM STATION for Interactive Video Training and 
Simulation)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a 1-year provisional approval of Arco's 
Production Safety System Training Program (SIM STATION for Interactive 
Video Training and Simulation). The Minerals Management Service (MMS) 
is announcing the approval of this program to inform the public about 
evolving training technology. The program offers a unique learning 
system that uses computerized enactments of real-life situations to 
enhance learning.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph R. Levine, Chief, Information 
and Training Branch; Mail Stop 4810; Minerals Management Service; 381 
Elden Street; Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817; telephone (703) 787-1033; 
FAX (703) 787-1575.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 24, 1991 (56 FR 2679), MMS 
amended the rules to revise the minimum training requirements for 
personnel engaged in drilling and production operations in the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) and established new minimum training 
requirements for personnel engaged in well-completion, well-workover, 
and well-servicing operations in the OCS. These requirements were 
effective on February 25, 1991. After February 24, 1993, MMS required 
training organizations to submit training programs in accordance with 
the requirements in 30 CFR part 250, subpart O.
    The reason for this notice is to announce the 1-year provisional 
approval of Arco's Production Safety System Training Program (SIM 
STATION for Interactive Video Training and Simulation). Unlike 
traditional classroom based training programs, Arco based its program 
on interactive computer and laser disc based technology. This program 
allows the unassisted training of individual workers. The system 
provides for instruction, simulation, and testing.
    Arco will administer the MMS certification test through a Training 
Administrator (TA). The TA is a company designated person who will 
provide a student with all the material for Production Safety System 
Training. During a training course the TA will be available to answer 
any questions the students have about the course material.
    During this 1-year provisional approval period, MMS will conduct 
onsite evaluations and unannounced audits of the training program at 
Arco's shorebase facilities located in Ingleside, Texas, and Venice, 
Louisiana.
    The MMS will conduct these onsite evaluations and unannounced 
audits to evaluate the operation of the training program to observe the 
student's ability to interact with the system.
    The MMS granted a 1-year provisional approval of the training 
program under the departure provisions of 30 CFR 250.210(h) which 
states that, ``Departures. The MMS may approve departures from these 
requirements when it is determined that such departure will not result 
in a reduction of the qualifications of personnel and that the 
departure is necessary due to unavoidable circumstances that make 
compliance with the requirements infeasible or impractical.'' Final 
approval will be contingent upon MMS' assessment of the effectiveness 
of this type of training in fulfilling the requirements of subpart O.

    Dated: March 7, 1995.
Thomas Gernhofer,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 95-6185 Filed 3-13-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-M