New measures to improve helicopter safety for oil and gas workers have been brought forward.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says emergency breathing systems will now be compulsory 15 months earlier than originally planned. Helicopter operators will have to have the equipment in place from January 1, 2015 rather than April 1, 2016.
The CAA has also delayed the implementation of new seating restrictions until September 1 2014 – this was originally planned for the beginning of next month.
“The safety of those who work offshore is our absolute priority and as such we must also consider their safety on offshore installations as well as onboard flights,” said CAA head of flight operations Rob Bishton.
“We have listened carefully to the views of the industry, the unions and the helicopter operators. The changes to timescales we have announced today will mean that helicopter flights will only be permitted after 1 January 2015 if passengers are fitted with the improved emergency breathing equipment – that’s much earlier than originally planned. But we are also giving the industry an extra three months before the temporary seating restrictions are applied, so that they can complete planned, safety-critical maintenance work offshore over the summer.”
In February the CAA originally revealed a series of measures, including new seating restrictions which were due to come into effect as of June 1. Under the measures passengers are only allowed to fly if they are seated next to a push-out window exit.
Step Change in Safety team leader Les Linklater said the changes were in the industry’s best interests.
He said: “This is a great outcome. There’s a sense that safety is the real winner in this for me. What we need to do now is develop a much better system. But really we now have the right outcome from a safety perspective.”
Oil and Gas UK chief executive Malcolm Webb hailed the accelerated introduction of the emergency breathing equipment a ‘milestone for safety in the North Sea’.
He said: “The Civil Aviation Authority consultation with industry has been highly constructive, prompting and accelerating the introduction of breakthrough lifesaving equipment over a year ahead of CAA proposed action A10 (CAP1145) – a real milestone for safety in the North Sea.
“Additionally, the new equipment comes with a significantly improved lifejacket for all passengers, more good news for offshore safety.
“By adjusting the timescale for limiting helicopter seating capacity to better align with the availability of Category A Emergency Breathing Systems, the CAA has facilitated the work of the fast-approaching annual turnaround season, when safety critical maintenance is carried out during the summer months.
“Our discussions with CAA are a safety success story for the UK continental shelf. All of the many risk drivers have been considered and balanced in such a way that these are effectively managed in the best interest of safety offshore. We will continue to work collaboratively with the CAA on the introduction of the other recommendations and actions in the safety review.
“Oil and Gas UK also warmly welcomes the news that the redesigned gear shaft for EC225 helicopters has been certified, and will now be introduced as soon as possible. This is another significant step forward for safety.
“Finally, I wish to repeat that Oil & Gas UK applauds the CAA’s safety review CAP1145, which we believe will further improve the safety of helicopter operations in the North Sea.”