HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT 2013
page 35
Helicopter Safety
Two controlled landings on water last year and the suspension of the EC225 fleet brought aviation safety to
the forefront, led by the Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG)
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. The group has been acting as a focal point
for industry communication and will take a final decision on any return to flying of the EC225s on the UKCS
once regulatory approval is in place. The HSSG has:
• Communicated helicopter safety issues using dedicatedwebpages, Q&As, factsheets, e-newsletters,
videos and events
• Visited Eurocopter’s manufacturing and test facility in France to witness the various strands of the
investigation into gearbox failures
Identifying Hazards and Controlling Risk
Step Change has succeeded in improving recognition of potential hazards and has helped to raise awareness
of them. Highlights include:
• Three tiers of assurance and verification guidance published for all levels of the workforce
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• Formation of a new work group focusing on safe transfer of personnel offshore by means other
than helicopter
Joined-up Thinking
2013 saw the launch of Joined-up Thinking – a series of engagement packs
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which link together good practice
from across the steering groups. These packs are designed to increase the workforce’s awareness of different
safety issues and get them to think differently about their safety. The focus for 2013’s Joined-up Thinking
packs is hydrocarbon releases.
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The Assurance and Verification Guidance is available on the Step Change in Safety website at:
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The Joined-Up Thinking packs are available at:
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