Rush to boost helicopters’ safety sparks fears for staff
OffshOre workers could be put in danger by the rush to introduce new safety features for North sea helicopters, it was claimed yesterday.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has ordered aircraft safety upgrades and tighter regulations following a string of incidents involving super Puma choppers operating over UK waters.
But industry body Oil and Gas UK has warned MPs that rushing to meet the given deadlines could put the workforce at further risk.
It said there was ‘significant concern’ over the ‘ambitious’ timescale for the changes, some of which come into effect in less than two months.
And Oil and Gas UK fears that this could lead to ‘serious incidents’ offshore and hydrocarbon pollution if it affects maintenance schedules.
The body representing offshore firms said: ‘The oil and gas industry is about to enter the summer turn-around season, when installation operators
‘Potential for serious incidents’
address safety-critical maintenance. The number of helicopter flights generally increases to move contractor staff to installations for this work.
‘2014 was seen as a “catch-up” year following the non-availability of eC225 [super Puma] helicopters for most of 2013.
‘Temporary measures were in place during 2013 to ensure standards of safety were maintained, but essential maintenance does now need to go ahead to prevent the potential for hydrocarbon releases, which could cause serious incidents.’ The CAA announced one of the biggest shake-ups for copter safety in the history of the offshore industry in february.
It followed a review launched last september after the most recent super Puma crash, off the coast of shetland the previous month.
Three men and a woman died when the aircraft, carrying 18 people, came down in the sea on its approach to sumburgh Airport.
The review examined five incidents involving eurocopter super Pumas since 2009. Three of the aircraft have ditched in the sea and two have crashed – claiming a total of 20 lives.
The CAA has ruled that from June passengers must have enhanced emergency Breathing systems, or the aircraft must be fitted with side floats to give more escape time.
But the industry has warned that it will take time to train the workforce with the new systems and to fit the floats.
Oil and Gas UK have also expressed concerns for ‘larger built’ employees as all helicopter passengers must be able to fit through emergency windows from April next year.
The i ndustry body claims the changes could lead to increased strain on pilots and more pressure on ground crew to complete essential aircraft maintenance. Commons Transport Committee chair Louise ellman, MP, has now written to the aviation regulator for a detailed response to the warning.