News / MPs call for helicopter safety inquiry
THE OIL and gas industry has claimed suggestions that commercial pressure affects the safety of offshore helicopter operations are “unsubstantiated”.
On Tuesday the UK parliament’s transport select committee called for a public and independent inquiry to be convened to examine whether such pressure played a role in the spate of recent offshore helicopter accidents.
On 23 August last year four oil workers died when a Super Puma L2 chopper with 18 people on board plunged into the sea when approaching Sumburgh airport.
This crash prompted the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to undertake a wide-ranging review into offshore helicopter safety, which reported in February.
Launching a report examining the lessons to be learnt from recent accidents and the CAA review, transpor committee chairwoman Louise Ellman said that confidence in helicopter safety was low.
“Despite work by the CAA, serious questions remain unanswered about offshore helicopter safety in the competitive commercial environment of the North Sea. We fear a creeping complacency may be affecting safety standards.
“The role and effectiveness of the CAA has not been adequately examined. Only a full and independent public inquiry would have the power and authority to investigate properly.”
MPs highlight how the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) investigation into the Sumburgh crash uncovered a number of serious issues.
In particular, AAIB found pre-flight safety briefing did not accurately explain how to use the type of emergency breathing system (EBS) supplied on the helicopter.
Ellman said: “Survivors of the Sumburgh crash told us that they did not use the emergency breathing system provided on the helicopter because the information given to them by the safety video was flawed.
“It is appalling that it took a fatal accident in such circumstances before inadequacies in safety briefing were identified.
“Workers in the offshore industry have the right to know everything possible is being done to keep them safe.
“We call for the CAA to ensure that helicopter operators review all safety arrangements to guarantee all are fit for purpose.”
Industry body Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director Robert Paterson said safety was a key priority for the industry.
“The recent industry-driven effort to implement the new and improved emergency breathing system is 18 months ahead of the original CAA deadline.
“We have yet to see any evidence of the unsubstantiated allegations concerning improper commercial pressure affecting safety outcomes which are repeated in this report.”
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott meanwhile said any inquiry should recognised Shetland’s role in maximising offshore helicopter safety.
“Shetland provides the oil and gas industry with a location which allows for a reduction in flying time.”
He added: “Scatsta and Sumburgh effectively operate services for the offshore industry and have done for many years, minimising helicopter flying time to and from oil rigs to the east and west of Shetland, and as a result, maximising the safety of offshore workers.”
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