Unite’s Back Home Safe campaign was formally launched in Aberdeen by Tommy Campbell, Unite Regional Officer, and Chris Gordon from Thompson’s Solicitors. In attendance were Unite representatives from throughout the Oil & Gas Industry.

The importance of the campaign was emphasised by Tommy who demanded that Oil and Gas UK take immediate and meaningful action. He said “Offshore workers are launching a really important campaign to improve offshore safety and to save lives. Unite has spoken to hundreds of offshore workers who have clearly expressed their legitimate concerns but they have also made concrete proposals to improve safety.

Overwhelmingly offshore workers are demanding action from the industry to improve the safety of offshore helicopter flights. Oil and Gas UK must now act. Over 1,500 offshore workers have already backed our petition calling for action which will be presented to Oil and Gas UK next month.”

Following August’s tragic incident off the Sumburgh coast, Unite has carried out an extensive consultation with our members and the wider offshore workforce. This consultation initially involved surveying a sample of 532 workers. The preliminary results from the consultation show;
* Over half, 50.7%, of offshore workers are not confident in offshore helicopter flight safety
* 81% of workers said that their level of confidence in helicopter flight has decreased in the previous 12 months
* 95% of workers demand greater investment to create a larger helicopter fleet
* Offshore workers will not accept ‘business as usual’.

Unite’s ‘Back Home Safe’ campaign, an offshore worker led campaign, demands immediate changes. The changes demanded address the legitimate and genuine concerns of offshore workers. Throughout the North Sea workers are actively supporting the Back Home Safe campaign and the support has been overwhelming, but we still need workers to do more.

You can support the campaign in the following four ways
1. Pledge your support – Sign the helicopter safety petition
2. Give your views – Complete our offshore worker safety survey
3. Actively support the campaign – Tell your colleagues about the campaign and encourage them to support.
4. Get behind our demands – Send Unite your photographs of offshore workers backing our demands.

Helicopter safety affects all offshore workers and all workers must show their support for the Back Home Safe campaign if together we are to achieve our aims