It was announced today, Monday 25 March, that Bristow Helicopters has become a full member of Step Change In Safety.

The role of Step Change in Safety has become even more important in recent months with its Helicopter Safety Steering Group (HSSG) playing a vital role in keeping the industry informed following two related controlled water landings of EC225s in the North Sea which led to the grounding of the Eurocopter EC225 helicopter type.

The HSSG, of which Bristow’s Head of Flight Operations (Europe), Tim Glasspool, is co-chair, works to proactively to identify and address cross-industry issues around helicopter safety, related to helicopter operations in the UK oil and gas industry.

Speaking of their decision to become a member of Step Change in Safety, Glasspool commented: “At Bristow safety is and always has been our number one priority and we’ve built our Target Zero safety culture around this commitment.

“Bristow was the first civil helicopter transport company to work in the oil and gas industry and our excellent safety record has earned us respect amongst our clients and within the industry. Over the years we have developed a number of game-changing technologies to improve helicopter safety, which underpins the company’s commitment to safety for both its employees and clients. These technologies, which include the traffic collision avoidance system TCAS2, IHUMS, and Sky Connect, have been adopted by many leading aircraft manufacturers and competitors alike.

“We are passionate about driving up safety standards in the oil and gas industry and we hope that our membership to Step Change in Safety signals our level of commitment to do so.

“We also recognise the immense value that the HSSG holds in terms of keeping the workforce and Unions appraised of the progress and extent of the ongoing investigation surrounding the EC225 and we are keen to support this work moving forward.”

Bristow has been working with Step Change in Safety to reinvigorate its Helicopter Safety Awareness courses which provide a learning opportunity for offshore personnel, including safety representatives, who would like to find out more about offshore flight operations and safety.

The full day courses are run by pilots and technicians from each of the helicopter operators and cover flight operations, maintenance, a hangar visit and an open question session. There is also an opportunity to talk with the pilots and technicians to raise any questions or concerns they or their colleagues offshore may have. Bristow is hosting two of these sessions this year with the other operators each hosting one.

Les Linklater, Team Leader, Step Change in Safety said: “Bristow has been involved in the HSSG for a number of years now and this has really stepped up a gear since Tim Glasspool became co-chair of the HSSG in January last year.

“Having members such as Tim involved at such a senior level is a significant asset to the body. Their presence ensures that everything that can be done is being done to drive safety issues in the industry.

“The on-going safety of our helicopter operations is crucial if we are to meet the vision of being the safest place to work in the worldwide oil and gas industry.”

In addition to Bristow, HSSG consists of oil and gas operators and contractors, helicopter operators, workforce safety representatives, regulators and trade unions.