The oil and gas industry has underlined its ongoing commitment to offshore helicopter safety, with the launch of a new publication.

Oil & Gas UK’s ‘Guidelines for the Management of Aviation Operations’ has been revised and updated to improve awareness of helicopter issues for those whose jobs require a comprehensive technical or logistical understanding.

The guidelines were launched 14 April at OPITO’s office in Portlethen, where representatives from across the oil and gas and aviation sectors gathered for the event.

The document provides a framework for safe UK offshore helicopter operations and, where relevant, has been aligned with the OGP ‘Aviation Management Guidelines’.

It includes changes such as the mandatory use of personal locator beacons and improved accuracy and reliability of Vantage data resulting from the work of the Helicopter Task Group, set up in the aftermath of the helicopter accident on 1 April 2009. It also reflects the ongoing work of Step Change in Safety’s Helicopter Safety Steering Group.

Oil & Gas UK’s health and safety director, Robert Paterson, said: “Aviation safety remains of paramount importance along with the need for the oil and gas industry continuing to maintain strong links to the offshore aviation sector.

“To develop these guidelines, we consulted widely across the industry; ranging from workforce representatives, trade unions, contractors, helicopter companies, emergency services, regulators and oil and gas companies.

“With their participation, and the lessons the industry has learned from international aviation incidents such as the Canadian S92 helicopter accident in Newfoundland, we have identified technical and operational improvements to bolster aviation safety.

“The guidelines pull together all this knowledge providing us with a common framework of guidance which we recommend is applied to all offshore helicopter operations.”

The guidelines, which will be of particular interest to anyone involved in the aviation community as well as those working in offshore logistics, safety and operations disciplines, were compiled by aviation health and safety consultant, John Burt.

The ‘Guidelines for the Management of Aviation Operations’ are available to purchase here and cost £45 for Oil & Gas UK members and £90 for non-members.