UK ministers have triggered a fresh row over offshore helicopter safety by dismissing calls for a public inquiry – and claims that commercial pressures risk lives.
The Westminster government officially ruled out an independent probe into the recent helicopter crashes in the North Sea yesterday.
The decision was welcomed by the industry but criticised as “deeply disappointing” by Aberdeen MP Frank Doran and as “absolutely scandalous” by the Unite trade union.
Some bereaved relatives and survivors of the ditchings last night called on Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to reconsider.
The UK Government was responding to a report published in July by Westminster’s transport select committee, which was investigating concerns raised in the wake of a crash off Shetland in August last year which killed four workers.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was already implementing changes to tighten-up procedures, but the MPs held hearings in Aberdeen and subsequently recommended that a full inquiry be held into the impact of “commercial pressures” on safety.
The UK Government was obliged to issue an official response to the committee, and said yesterday: “Neither the CAA, industry nor government has seen any evidence to suggest that safety is being compromised as a result of commercial pressure from the industry.”
It added: “It is important for the CAA and industry to be given time to implement the recommendations from the CAA’s Offshore Review. In the circumstances the government does not support the call for a public inquiry on this issue.”
The transport committee had highlighted claims from some workers of a “bullying” culture in the industry.
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of industry body Oil and Gas UK, branded it “wholly unfounded” in an angry response to the MPs, which was published for the first time yesterday.
He added: “The committee’s acceptance of wholly unsubstantiated allegations of commercial pressure being brought to bear on helicopter operators to relax their safety standards is an alarmingly weak evidence base from which to attempt to justify a plea for such an inquiry.”
Mr Doran, the Labour MP for Aberdeen North, had led calls for a public inquiry, and last night demanded a meeting with Mr McLoughlin.
“I am deeply disappointed that the secretary of state has decided not to hold a public inquiry,” he said.
“I believe there are fundamental issues which have not been dealt with, not the least of which is the way the offshore helicopter transport industry has been regulated over the past 40 years.”
Julia Allison, wife of George Allison who died in the August 2013 crash off Sumburgh, also called on ministers to reconsider a public inquiry.
“I recognise that the industry has started to face up to some of its difficulties but I firmly believe that until there has been a full public examination of all aspects of the industry, from regulation to operation and industry culture, then the industry will struggle to win the confidence of the public and particularly the offshore workforce,” she said.
Pat Rafferty, the Scottish secretary of the Unite union, attacked the government’s verdict.
“This morning’s published response from the UK Government is that ‘there is nothing to see here, there’s no safety issues and its business as usual for helicopter transfers in the North Sea’, which given the recent history is absolutely scandalous,” he said.
Louise Ellman, Labour MP and chairwoman of the transport committee, said she was also “deeply disappointed”.
She said: “This is a regrettable decision for the loved ones and relatives of people killed in offshore helicopter accidents. It sends the wrong signal to people who continue to work in the offshore industry.”
In his response to the committee’s report, CAA chief executive Andrew Haines said: “The safety of those who rely on offshore helicopter flights is our absolute priority and the steps we announced in our February review will result in significant improvements in safety, some of which will be implemented quickly.
“Taken together, we are confident that these will represent a real step forward in improving offshore helicopter safety and build on the many years of progress to date.”
Last week a new group called HeliOffshore was launched by operators to try to improve safety.
The group said last night: “In the UK, the rotary industry is focused on implementing the CAA recommendations.
“Globally, through HeliOffshore, we are building on work started over a year ago to collaborate on safety activities which benefit those who rely on us: the passengers and crew who travel on rotary-wing aircraft around the world every day.”