I’ve taken a hiatus from the blog. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stayed out of the press’ spotlight completely. Instead, the tragic helicopter crash one month ago dictated that industry voices be louder than ever.
Now as the industry recovers from its second fatal crash in recent years, it’s more evident than ever that we’re working without a script.
The entire industry was rocked by the events of August 23. The word ‘devastation’ hardly covers the heartbreak families, colleagues and the wider offshore and onshore community felt. Initially more questions than answers emerged as we moved into unchartered territory. Days strung into weeks and important, weighted decisions were made.
Step Change in Safety and the Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) fully understands and appreciates the workforce concerns following the series of tragic accidents in the last four years. This is why the decision to suspend the Super Puma fleet until there was more information available was taken.
This time out allowed helicopter operators, HSSG and trade unions to consider safety procedures and hear the concerns of the entire workforce. Ultimately, this time out gave HSSG the confidence to support the return to active service of all variants of the Super Puma fleet.
But our work doesn’t stop there.
The tragic events of 23 August 2013 are a stark reminder that we all have so much more to do. We have a moral duty to learn from the accident and take the necessary steps and actions to improve the safety of helicopter operations.
No loss of life will ever be acceptable but we must work together to ensure the memory of those who perished serves to make possible any necessary improvements.
The whole industry – duty holders, contractors, helicopter operators, trade unions and regulators – must work together, openly and transparently. The outpouring of emotion in the last month reinforces the point that a positive safety culture cannot be achieved through legislation.
Instead, we have to redouble our efforts to engage our workforce as we provide important information, participate in dialogue to better understand their concerns and rebuild a lasting confidence around safe helicopter operations.
Safety leaders in the oil and gas industry have a responsibility and immediate duty to re-engage with onshore and offshore workers to restore the confidence and trust they place in us.
Amidst the devastation we will do as we have always done, rally round one another and strengthen our resolve to be and do better.
The time is now. We cannot waste this tragic loss of life.
