A group of MPs are set to publish the results of their inquiry into North Sea helicopter safety.
Offshore union the RMT said last night it hoped the report, from the transport select committee at Westminster, would lead to greater transparency throughout the industry.
An investigation was launched after four people died when a Super Puma EC225 crashed off Shetland in August last year.
The accident, which happened on the aircraft’s approach to Sumburgh, was the fifth offshore helicopter accident in four years.
The transport select committee set out to examine how operators, the oil and gas industry and regulators can improve safety standards for workers.
The Civil Aviation Authority has already announced major changes to operations, including a ban on travel in the most severe weather conditions.
RMT spokesman Jake Molloy said: “Right from the start, we have repeatedly asked for a full public inquiry into helicopter safety in general.
“We hope that the committee might support us in that and reflect on having greater transparency and on the issues that still affect offshore helicopter safety.
“So much has happened since the hearings began. We’ve had the Civil Aviation Authority report and we have seen some significant changes as a consequence of that.”
In January, members of the committee visited Aberdeen to meet helicopter manufacturers and operators. They were briefed on how helicopters are maintained, how weather is monitored in the North Sea and how pilots are trained.
They also held an evidence session with trade unions, operators, manufacturers and representatives of the oil and gas industry.
At the second evidence session, in March, they heard from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the CAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
An Oil & Gas UK spokeswoman said: “We but look forward to reading the report.”
Earlier this year, UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill admitted it was “unacceptable” for the families of 16 men who died in a North Sea helicopter crash in April 2009 to wait five years for a fatal accident inquiry.
He said the delay in compiling a report on the disaster, off Peterhead, was due to “very real consideration” being given to prosecutions.
The sheriff who presided over the inquiry, in Aberdeen, said it was “possible” the accident could have been prevented had it not been for failures on the part of operator Bond to follow procedures and communicate fully with manufacturer Eurocopter.
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