►
Description
S5M-07724 Lewis Macdonald: Workforce Concerns Regarding Helicopter Safety in the
North Sea—That the Parliament understands that the Civil Aviation Authority has lifted the ban on
the use of Superpuma H225LP and AS332L2 helicopters in the UK despite continuing concerns
over the safety of these helicopters among offshore workers; further understands that Airbus, the
manufacturer of Superpuma helicopters, has carried out a survey of North Sea workers and
aircrew in order to establish their attitudes towards helicopter safety; notes the finding that 62% of
respondents would be unlikely to fly in a Superpuma helicopter, given a choice; further notes that
44% of respondents were unaware of work done to improve safety since the Superpuma crash in
April 2016, including increased monitoring and inspection measures and more regular
replacement of gearbox components; recognises that Unite the Union has launched a petition
opposing the reintroduction of the Superpuma helicopters, signed by thousands of offshore
workers in the North East Scotland parliamentary region and across the country, who remain
concerned about their safety and reputation, and notes calls for flights in these Superpuma
helicopters to not resume.
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A
May
I
ask
those
leaving
the
chamber
to
do
so
quietly.
Please
and
the
final
item
of
business
is
a
member's
business
debate
on
motion
772
for
in
the
name
of
Lewis
McDonald,
on
what
force
concerns
regarding
helicopter
safety
in
the
North
Sea.
This
debate
will
be
concluded
without
any
questions
being
put
and
I
would
ask
those
members
who
wish
to
speak
in
the
debate
to
press
the
request
to
speak
buttons
now
and
I
call
on
Lewis
MacDonald
to
open
the
debate
for
around
seven
minutes.
Thank.
B
You
presiding
officer
and
I'm
delighted
to
welcome
members
of
the
United
Union
to
the
public
gallery
this
evening,
as
well
as
representatives
of
Airbus
and
others
who
have
stayed
for
this
debate
and
I.
Thank
colleagues
across
parties
for
their
support
tonight
gives
us
an
opportunity
to
put
on
the
record
the
views
of
offshore
workers
themselves
on
an
issue
of
the
utmost
importance
to
them
and
their
families.
Offshore
oil
and
gas
workers
earn
their
living
in
a
hazardous
industry
in
a
hazardous
environment.
B
Drilling
rigs
and
production
platforms
are
tough
places
to
work
the
world
over,
nowhere
more
so
than
in
the
waters
of
our
coasts,
but
offshore
safety
is
not
just
about
the
place
of
work
on
a
chemical
processing
plant
many
miles
from
dry
land
and
a
long
way
from
the
nearest
hospital.
It
is
also
about
the
journey
to
work
which
carries
risks
of
its
own.
Most
people
travel
to
art,
by
train
or
by
bus
by
bike
or
by
car
on
a
daily
basis.
Oil
workers
make
a
journey.
They
travel
every
month
to
the
heliport
and
Aberdeen.
B
Then
they
make
another
journey
on
a
helicopter
to
the
place
where
they
will
work
long
shifts
on
successive
days
for
often
three
weeks
at
a
time.
Sometimes
they
will
travel
first
from
Aberdeen
to
Shetland
then
fly
again
from
the
air
to
an
offshore
installation
and
then
do
the
same
journey
in
Reverse
when
coming
home.
That's
a
lot
of
hours
in
midair,
I've,
traveled
offshore
myself,
a
number
of
times
in
the
last
30
years
and
I
can
tell
members
that
is
not
the
same
as
taking
the
bus.
B
A
pass
on
a
bus
does
not
need
to
be
trained
in
advance
on
how
to
get
out.
If
things
go
wrong,
he
or
she
does
not
need
a
survival
suit
or
all
the
gear
required
to
stay
afloat
and
keep
breathing
in
the
event
of
an
accident,
never
mind
going
through
that
whole
process
of
cutting
up
twice
in
the
same
journey
when
the
trip
involves
changing
from
one
vehicle
to
another
halfway
there.
So
it's
important
to
understand
what
the
journey
is
like
and
what
that
implies
for
workforce
safety.
B
Formal
certification
of
safety
on
its
own
is
not
enough.
Taking
a
chopper
to
work
in
the
North
Sea
is
not
the
same
as
joyriding
at
an
airshow
on
a
summer's
afternoon.
The
journey
is
also
about
the
gear,
the
safety
procedures,
the
unpredictable
flying
conditions,
the
hazardous
environment.
So
when
workers
do
all
of
that
before
they
get
to
work,
they
need
the
certification,
of
course,
but
they
also
need
to
feel
the
aircraft
they
are
traveling
on
is
fit
for
purpose.
That
is
what
is
at
issue
here
this
evening.
B
Super
puma
helicopters
do
not
feel
safe
to
many
of
those
who
may
be
asked
to
step
on
board.
Unite
union
has
collected
thousands
of
signatures,
which
say
that
that
is
the
view
of
their
offshore
members,
and
some
of
those
workers
are
here
with
us
here
this
evening.
Airbus
who
make
su
perfumers
have
done
their
own
survey.
B
Airbus
have
a
good
deal
of
professional
engineering
expertise
and
they
have
applied
all
their
technology
and
expertise
to
addressing
the
critical
issues
and
they
have
briefed
msps.
Accordingly,
the
facts
of
the
matter
are
not
in
dispute.
They
have
been
established
by
national
and
international
civil
aviation
regulators.
The
super
puma
35,
which
crashed
in
Norway
last
year
did
so
because
a
crack
developed
in
the
gearbox,
which
led
to
catastrophic
failure
and
the
helicopter
dropped
out
of
the
sky,
13
passengers
and
crew
died.
B
As
a
result,
airbus
have
made
public
what
they
believe
caused
the
clock
to
develop
where
they
did
and
they
have
print
mitigation
measures
into
place.
For
example,
two
different
companies
previously
supplied
versions
of
the
part
that
the
airbus
believed
was
at
the
heart
of
the
failure
in
the
gearbox.
An
airbus
in
future
will
use
only
one
version
from
one
supplier.
Mechanisms
for
detection
of
faults
or
failures
have
been
improved
and
maintenance
rules
and
procedures
have
been
tightened
up.
B
All
of
those
steps
are
welcome,
but
they
do
not
guarantee
that
such
faults
or
failures
can
never
happen
again,
which
is
why
so
many
people
remain
unconvinced.
It
is
important,
of
course,
to
know
how
and
why
a
crack
develops,
but
it
is
also
important
to
know
how
long
it
takes
before
it
becomes
critical.
How
long
there
is
to
take
action
to
deal
with
it.
B
It
is
right
to
remove
the
less
safe
of
two
alternative
components
from
the
supply
chain,
but
we
also
need
to
know
if
there
are
other
parts
of
the
aircraft
where
safety,
critical
components
are
supplied
by
different
companies
and
what
has
been
done
about
those?
It
is
interesting
to
know
that
the
airbus
could
reduce
the
number
of
seats
and
improve
the
internal
cabin
space
in
the
two
to
five.
But
there
is
no
certainty
that
will
happen
if
helicopter
operating
companies
cannot
make
a
profit
flying
with
fewer
passengers.
There
are
wider.
Questions
are
not
just
for
airbus.
C
Is
grateful
to
smile
for
giving
me
he'll
appreciate,
given
my
ministry
office,
I
cannot
contribute
our
speech
to
the
debate,
but,
given
this
affects
a
number
of
my
constituents
as
well,
one
of
you'd
agree
that,
as
well
as
the
communication
with
the
workforce,
which
is
essential,
there
is
also
the
wider
communication
that
is
required
with
family
of
workforce,
but
also
communities,
particularly
Dyson
Bridge,
have
done
in
my
constituency,
which
regularly
experience
helicopter
flights
over
built-up
areas
and
often
feel
concerns
around
what
the
impact
of
helicopter
safety
might
be
on
those
communities.
A.
B
It
is
not
only
about
technical
solutions
to
technical
problems;
it
is
also
about
the
communication,
with
the
work
first
with
the
families
and
with
indeed
the
wider
community,
and
so
hence
the
call
that
was
made
three
years
ago
for
a
public
inquiry
into
stun
helicopter
safety,
not
just
that
iron
standards,
but
also
around
the
communications
that
relate
to
that
and
RMT
and
other
of
the
union's
within
the
offshore
coordinating
group
has
repeated
the
call
this
week
for
the
public
inquiry.
So
I'd
be
very
interested
to
hear
from
the
minister
and
responding
to
the
debate.
B
What
the
scottish
government's
view
is
of
that
matter,
recognizing,
of
course,
that
the
responsibility
lies
elsewhere
or
Shortridge.
Engines
have
also
argued
that
helicopter
transport
needs
to
be
in
the
agenda
of
the
oil
industries,
regulators,
the
oil
and
gas
authority
and
the
Health
and
Safety
Executive,
as
well
as
the
agenda
of
the
Civil
Aviation
Authority.
Because
again
that
makes
the
same
point.
This
is
not
just
a
bit
technical
standards.
It
is
about
workforce
engagement
and
confidence,
and
it
is
an
issue
for
the
whole
industry.
B
That
is
why
the
partnership
of
workforce
unions
and
regulators
must
be
strengthened,
not
weakened
if
the
North
Sea
is
to
have
a
safe
and
successful
future
and
why
the
use
of
the
workforce
must
be
heated
by
all
concerned.
Only
by
putting
the
workforce
at
the
centre
can
we
have
the
oil
and
gas
industry
we
need
operating
to
the
standards
which
those
who
work
in
it
deserve.
A
D
Thank
You
presiding
officer
and
I.
Do
they
want
to
thank
Lewis
MacDonald
for
bringing
forward
the
members
to
be
it
today
and
I
completely?
Concur
with
his
last
sentiment
there
that
the
workforce
to
do
we
have
to
be
at
the
center
of
this
now.
Sadly,
one
of
my
earliest
GES
endless
chamber
after
being
elected
and
actually
I
think
it
was.
D
The
very
first
question
that
I
put
to
this
chamber
was
a
question
to
the
First
Minister
about
the
safety
of
the
Super
Puma
each
two
to
five
fleet
in
Scotland,
and
this
came
after
the
tragedy
in
April
2016,
which
took
the
lives
of
13
people,
including
that
of
one
of
my
constituents,
mr.
Ian
Stewart,
who
was
a
father
of
two
from
Lawrence
Kirk.
D
Now,
at
that
point,
the
fleet
was
grinded
and
rightly
saw
so
that
an
investigation
coup
de
Picardie
died
13y
this
model
of
helicopter
at
that
point
responsible
for
around
140,000
flights
each
year
across
the
UK
appear
to
have
decoding
problems
with
its
gearbox
in
the
period
from
2009
to
2016,
for
flights
had
come
down
in
the
North
Sea
with,
say,
a
mechanical
failure.
Two
of
them
leading
to
fatalities
were
the
loss
of
29
wives.
D
The
outcome
of
the
investigation
found
what
they
believed
to
be
a
combination
of
factors
that
led
to
the
failure
of
that
gearbox
in
2016
and
factors
that
have
since
resulted
and
a
number
of
changes
being
made,
some
of
which
Lewis
MacDonald
outlined.
Those
gearbox
parts
which
identified
as
contributing
to
the
accident
were
to
police
with
alternatives
already
safely
in
use
and
other
models
of
helicopter
Airbus
produced.
The
service
life
for
various
gear
bought
parts
from
four
thousand
flight
hours
to
one
thousand
flight
hours.
D
Own
maintenance,
venues
and
I
hasten
to
add
that
that's
only
a
very
brief
non-technical
overview
of
some
of
the
changes
that
were
made
when
I
asked
them
about
the
results
of
the
survey.
They
told
me
that
the
company
is
still
hard
to
engage
with
the
industry
as
a
whole,
including
the
workforce,
trade
unions
and
operators,
and
to
me
that
is
one
of
the
real
key
issues
here,
because
I
think
it's
all
very
well
there.
D
Airbus
are
just
at
the
start
of
that
process,
and
these
Devils
still
do
have
a
lot
of
work
to
do,
and
there's
also
the
fact
that.
Well,
we
have
a
preliminary
report
from
the
Accident
Investigation
Board
in
Norway
into
the
incident.
The
final
investigation
report
is
still
to
come.
I
just
want
to
finally
stress
that
I'm
fully
behind
and
fully
support
our
offshore
workers
and
it's
our
absolute
GE
to
ensure,
as
far
as
possible,
that
our
work
force
only
flying
aircraft
where
they
not
only
feel
safe,
but
they
are
safe.
D
D
You
can't
live
in
the
northeast
of
Scotland
and
Norton,
where
anybody
that
works
offshore
and
I
would
never
expect
anyone
to
do
anything
that
I
myself
would
not
be
willing
or
happy
to
do
if
I
was
in
their
position
and
that's
why
I
would
only
support
the
return
of
this
helicopter
to
service
if
the
workforce
feel
happy
and
secured
enough
to
travel
in
it
they're
the
ones
taking
the
risk,
and
it's
only
right
that
we
support
them.
Thank
You.
E
E
We
do
not
want
to
see
again
aberdeen
amber
why
Doyle
and
gas
industry
across
the
UK
can
take
pride
on
its
health
and
safety
record
and
continues
to
be
a
world
leader
in
this
regard,
and
there
is
no
doubt
that
super
puma
helicopters
have
brought
concerns
for
both
oil
companies
and
workers
alike
and
as
oil
and
gas
UK
study
stated
earlier
this
year.
The
safety
of
the
offshore
workforce
is
of
paramount
importance
to
the
industry
and,
more
recently,
that
the
decision
to
use
the
super
puma
rests
with
the
operator,
its
workforce
and
their
helicopter
operator.
E
This
is
the
kind
of
rigorous
health
and
safety
checks,
but
we
now
expect
from
our
oil
and
gas
industry
and
that
Airbus
have
done
their
utmost
to
live
up
to
this
rigor
is
no
less
than
we
would
expect.
However,
the
problem
that
Airbus
faced
is
to
regain
the
confidence
of
workers,
and
this
was
evident
by
the
recent
survey
results.
E
E
F
And
let
me
begin
by
reminding
Parliament
that
it
was
the
abidor
nian
trade
union,
leader,
Jimmy
Milne,
who,
when
he
became
the
general
secretary
of
the
Scottish
to
UC
LED
on
the
call
of
his
predecessor,
Jimmy
Jack,
who
in
1972
had
demanded
the
establishment
of
a
Scottish
Parliament
as
a
workers.
Parliament
well
I'm,
not
quite
sure
that
Jimmy,
Milne
and
Jimmy
Jack
would
say
that
this
is
what
we
have
achieved
yet.
F
But
can
I
welcome
Lewis
MacDonald's
initiative
in
securing
this
timely
debate
in
Parliament
on
a
matter
of
the
highest
importance
to
workers
in
this
most
strategically
important
industry
in
Scotland.
It
is
a
primary
industry
where
the
extraction
of
a
natural
and
national
asset
comes
up
all
too
often
against
conflicting
interests
between
multinational
private
industrial
ownership,
whose
first
Duty
it
is
to
shareholder
returns
and
a
workforce
for
whom
our
first
duty,
our
first
duty
in
this
Parliament,
must
be
to
secure
their
health
and
safety
at
work,
including
their
safety
in
travelling
backwards
and
forwards
to
work.
F
You
know
if
we
had
anything
resembling
industrial
democracy.
We
would
not
need
to
have
this
debate
at
all,
but
it
is
precisely
that
we
do
not
have
industrial
democracy,
that
we
have
an
industrial
balance
of
power
tilted
in
favor
of
the
owners
and
the
operators
that
this
is
such
a
highly
charged
debate.
So
it
is
a
bit
disappointing,
but
not
surprising,
to
hear
the
Conservative
Party
as
I
understand
it.
Refusing
point
blank
to
back
the
trade
union
campaign,
and
we
heard
it
again
just
a
few
moments
of
go.
F
The
decision
to
use
the
super
PM
arrests.
They
say
with
the
operator,
their
workforce
and
their
helicopter
operator.
This
is,
in
my
view,
a
negation
of
the
Kulin
edict
that
in
the
North
Sea,
the
frequency
of
accidents
may
be
low,
but
the
potential
consequences
are
very
serious
and,
as
others
have
pointed
out,
even
Airbus
on
figures
reveal
there
as
many
as
62%
of
all.
F
So
if
this
is
to
be
more
than
a
slogan,
we
need
to
act
upon
it
and,
as
the
RMT
Union
reminds
us
in
their
briefing
for
this
debate
next
year,
is
the
30th
anniversary
of
the
Piper
Alpha
disaster,
the
pain
still
being
felt
by
widows,
orphans
and
survivors
right
across
the
country.
So
we
owe
it
to
them
to
find
a
new
determination
in
this
Parliament
to
say
to
those
offshore
workers
who
are
with
us
tonight
and
to
all
those
beyond.
G
For
secure
and
it's
important
to
be,
I
was
gonna
say
for
our
area,
but
we
often
forget
is
northeasters
how
many
other
people
in
Scotland,
in
particular
the
north
of
England,
do
work
offshore
and
I'm.
Coming
from
this
debate
from
the
perspective
of
those
who
work
offshore
and
their
families,
more
than
twenty
thousand
flights
are
made
every
year,
two
installations,
hundreds
of
miles
off
land
where
men
and
women
go
to
work
four
weeks
before
returning
home
to
their
family
and
friends,
and
we
know
the
journey
to
from
the
installation.
G
But
if
something
goes
wrong
with
a
helicopter
over
the
North
Sea,
every
one
of
us
on
that
flight
knows
the
chances
of
survival
of
a
ditching
helicopter
are
not
high
and
I
can
understand
why.
Those
who
have
to
make
those
journeys
with
far
more
frequency
than
I
ever
did
may
mean
either
need
more
reassurances
about
the
helicopters
they're
asked
to
board
the
union.
Unite
mentioned
a
lot
today,
representing
their
members,
have
just
in
the
last
couple
of
days
reinforced
its
message.
G
The
strike
action
will
be
threatened
if
the
secret
rumors
have
put
back
into
use,
and
we
know
that
certain
companies
have
at
this
point
to
say
that
they
will
not
put
their
personnel
on
them,
display
Airbus
reassurances
on
their
safety
and
the
fight
to
the
UK
in
their
region.
Civil
aviation
authorities,
her
office
of
July
this
year
deemed
the
Super
Puma
safe,
but
then
a
workforce
services.
G
Many
people
have
mentioned
the
62
percent
response
said
they
would
not
want
to
use
a
Super
Puma
again
and
a
further
15
percent
said
they
would
not
be
comfortable
boarding
until
more
guarantee
about
safety.
Changes
had
been
explained,
in
other
words,
that
three
or
four
of
Northey
workers
are
unhappy
about
boarding
a
Super
Puma
again
at
this
point,
and
we
know
that
while
the
fleet
of
super
Pumas
are
not
being
used
in
the
UK
there,
their
continued
to
be
used
all
over
the
world.
G
But
the
death
of
13
people
last
year
of
the
coast
of
Norway
was
a
real
turning
point.
I
think
for
many
of
Shore
workers
who
do
not
feel
that
they
can
make
the
journalist
to
work
on
these
helicopters
any
longer
and
of
course,
they
already
had
significant
lingering
confidence
issues
with
the
integrity
of
the
Super
Puma.
After
the
tragic
accident
off
the
coast
of
peterhead
in
2009
were
16.
G
People
died,
including
Stuart
from
my
own
home
village
of
Newmarket
and
I,
can't
stand
here
today
as
the
MSP
of
his
mother
Audrey
and
his
sister
Kari
and
advocate
anything
other
than
extreme
caution
over
this
helicopter.
That
has
repeatedly
had
issues
before
and
since
that
devastating
day
and
I
guess
extreme
caution
really
translates
at
this
point
into
not
using
them
again,
given
the
recurring
thoughts.
So
can
the
Airbus
and
helicopter
operators
do
more
to
communicate
and
convince
North
Sea
workers
and
operators?
They
can
feel
confident
travelling
in
the
Super
Puma?
G
Oh
yes,
perhaps,
and
the
husband
pointed
out.
They
really
are
at
the
start
of
this
communication
process
and
we've
all
made
suggestions
and
how
that
can
be
improved
today.
So,
but
but
right
now,
I'm,
not
so
sure
that
really
confidence
can
ever
come
back
and
until
it
does
I,
don't
think
any
of
us
should
ask
people
who
face
significant
risk
already
to
do
the
jobs
that
they
do
offshore
to
board
them.
A
Before
I
call
mr.
baby,
there
are
a
few
other
people
who
wish
to
speak
in
the
debate.
So
I
am
minded
to
accept
a
motion
without
notice
under
Rule
8
14
3,
to
extend
the
debate
by
up
to
30
out
slowly
by
up
to
30
minutes
and
can
I
invite
Lewis
MacDonald
to
move
a
motion
as
though
Lotus.
Thank
you
very
much.
The
question
is
that
the
debate
be
extended
by
up
to
30
minutes.
Are
we
all
agreed?
H
H
I
also,
along
with
Richard
Leonard,
want
to
commend
the
unite
the
Union
and
those
in
the
gallery,
all
those
involved
in
the
back
home,
safe
campaign,
as
well
as
the
ongoing
work
of
the
offshore
coordinating
group
consisting
of
a
unit
and
the
other
trade
unions
to
organize
offshore
workers.
As
we've
heard,
those
who
represent
the
work
force
have
been
very
clear,
despite
the
decision
by
the
Civil
Aviation
Authority
to
lift
the
ban
on
the
225
and
mark
2
super
pumas.
H
Statoil
say
they
have
no
plans
to
use
this
helicopter
ever
again,
even
if
they
are
clear
to
do
so
by
the
Norwegian
authorities,
and
you
may
have
warned
that
if
the
super
Pumas
are
reintroduced,
then
they
are
perfectly
prepared
to
take
industrial
action
to
protect
their
members.
As
Lewis
MacDonald
and
Richard
Leonard
have
said,
the
workforce
needs
certainty
and
you
need
to
have
confidence
and
safety
arrangements
in
the
North
Sea.
That
is
why,
whatever
the
few
the
Super
Puma
itself,
engagement
with
the
trade
unions
must
be
a
priority
for
government
and
for
regulators
going
forward.
H
The
UK
government
must
also
reconsider
the
case
for
a
full
public
inquiry
into
helicopter
safety
and
the
offshore
safer.
The
RMT
believed
that
unique
operating
conditions
are
a
contributing
factor.
The
the
number
of
fatal
and
non-fatal
superhuman
accidents
in
the
north
sea,
high
crosswinds
low
temperatures
and
adverse
conditions
super
Pumas
operate
worldwide
without
the
pure
safety
record
observed
over
recent
years
in
the
North
Sea.
H
We
need
to
get
to
the
bottom
of
why
the
safety
of
the
aircraft
is
such
an
issue
in
the
UK
and
Norway
I
know,
inertia
would
be
helpful
with
the
Scottish
Government
could
clarify
their
own
position
for
the
need
on
on
an
independent
inquiry
once
again,
I
congratulate
Lewis
MacDonald
in
securing
this
debate
and
I
will
dodge
the
government
and
the
regulator's
that
the
action
needed
to
restore
the
confidence
and
trust
of
workers
and
helicopter
safety
and
the
North
Sea.
Thank
you.
I.
I
Saying
officer:
can
I
first
of
all
congratulate
Liz
McDonald,
as
others
have
on
securing
it
to
be
on
this
important
issue?
I
was
happy
to
support
this
motion
because
I
believe
this
is
a
matter
which
ought
and
view
the
worries
of
the
offshore,
what
forced
them
to
fight
some.
We
know
our
companies
won't
utilize.
The
aircraft's
at
the
center
of
this.
This
is
an
issue
there
ought
to
be
healed
in
this
place
at
the
very
root
of
this.
I
It
was
a
move
that
some
might
consider
reminiscent
of
John,
Selwyn
Gummer,
then
a
good
coach
or
minister
during
the
BSE
crisis,
as
he
tried
to
heat
his
daughter,
a
burger
and
eat
a
bit
himself
to
show
that
beef
was
safe
to
consume,
but
to
be
fair
to
mr.
fari,
he
has
acknowledged
that
it
takes
time
to
restore
trust
after
accidents
and
the
truth
is
we
are
a
very
long
way
away
from
reaching
that
destination.
I
Those
expression
concerns
our
men
and
women,
as
Lewis
MacDonald
said,
who
earn
their
living
in
an
extremely
harsh
and
hazardous
environment.
They
are
hardly
individuals,
so
if
they
are
spooked
and
the
figure
suggests
they
are,
then
this
is
a
significant
matter.
We
are,
of
course,
looking
at
this
following
what
we
now
know
to
be
too
tragic
accidents
which
have
similarities
one
in
2009
off
the
coast
of
Peter
head.
We
saw
16
people
lose
their
lives
in
one
in
2016
in
Norway,
which
saw
13,
sadly
passed
away.
I
We
also
have
an
additional
incident
with
a
super
puma
or
share
when
we
saw
four
people
perish
in
2013
the
United
opposing
reintroduction
of
the
helicopters,
references
the
fact
that
over
all
over
a
year,
super
Pumas
have
been
involved
in
sex
incidents,
meaning
the
sixty-five
people
being
rescued
from
the
North
Sea
and
33
families
losing
loved
ones
sitting
alongside
this
were
told,
shell
won't
use.
The
tutee
phibp
won't
use
the
super
Pumas
until
the
completion
of
the
formal
investigation
and
the
root
causes.
A
Norwegian
incident
is
identified
and
statoil,
as
we've
heard,
has
stated.
I
It
won't
use
these
models
ever
again
bound
signature,
boss
have
made
modifications
to
the
two
models
and
the
maintenance
program.
There
are
no
law
law
thresholds
for
rejecting
deteriorating
components
and
more
frequent
example.
Inspections,
for
example,
I'm.
The
expert
on
this
area,
I
suspect,
on
balance.
These
aircraft
may
be
safer
to
be
flying
and
there
was
previously
the
case,
but
it's
the
regular
users
who
need
to
be
convinced
with
us,
not
of
Parliament
and
I.
I
Do
find
it
surprising
that
the
European
Air
Safety
Agency
and
the
UK
and
Norwegian
civil
aviation
authorities
have
lifted
their
bans
when
no
final
report
on
the
crash
in
Norway
has
been
delivered
and
no
definitive
cause
identified.
The
Accident
Investigation
Board,
nor
we
published
an
interim
report
into
the
2016
accident
earlier
this
year,
but
to
the
scope
and
complexity
of
the
investigation,
which
I
of
course
recognized.
It
was
unable
to
estimate
a
completion
date
for
its
investigation
and
it
states
and
the
AIBN
website
only
the
final
investigation
will
represent
the
complete
report,
presiding
officer.
I
J
J
We
should
reflect
on
the
tragic
accidents
involved,
evolving
these
helicopters,
but
also
on
the
work
to
improve
them
and
make
them
faithful,
continued
use.
The
point
I
make
is
this:
the
best
judges
of
helicopter
safety
are
not
politicians
or
trade
union
officials.
The
best
judges
are
the
experts
who
specialized
in
aeronautical
engineering.
J
At
what
point
do
we
abandon
our
trust
in
their
ability
to
work
in
a
diligent
and
competent
manner?
Why
don't
we
ban
all
helicopters?
If
that
is
the
case,
I
believe
that
we
are
ready
to
have
this
debate,
then
it
should
be
concern
the
standards
the
manufacturer
needs
to
meet,
not
placing
actually
restriction
on
an
aircraft
the
experts
already
deemed
safe.
With
that
said,
it's
not
enough
to
meet
these
standards
and
carrying
on
as
nothing
had
happened.
The
lessons
of
the
past
must
be
learned.
J
Regulatory
of
bodies
and
manufactures
must
focus
on
early
preventive
action,
whatever
the
most
remote
possibility
of
a
problem.
If
a
problem
arises,
I
expect
this
of
all
manufacturers
and
operators
to
whom
offshore
workers
based
their
trust
on
a
daily
basis.
I
remember
flying
offshore
in
the
1970s
in
the
early
part
of
the
oral
industry
and
I'm
encouraged
by
the
progress
made
since
that
time
back,
then
my
one
hand
would
not
have
been
presented
as
a
risk
to
fellow
passengers
now
I'm
pleased
that
today's
standards
mean
that
wouldn't
be
permitted.
J
D
J
The
Georgia
would
be
uncomfortable
flying
in
these
aircraft,
given
that
54
6
%
run
away
of
new
safety
measures
applied
to
the
aircraft.
This
is
an
early
survey.
More
information
is
necessary
to
get
so
people
to
understand
what
taking
thing
taking
place.
I
think
the
widespread
public
engagement
would
help
reassure
oil
and
gas
workers.
I
hope
their
vests
will
consider
this
into
the
great
extent
to
include
presiding
officer
I
believe
we
should
accept
nothing
less
than
the
highest
possible
standards
for
these
helicopters.
J
At
the
same
time,
haggle
we
should
trust
the
expertise,
the
CIA
and
the
EAS.
A
offshore
industry
personnel
have
every
right
for
safe
working
conditions.
We
just
hold
the
mat
for
manufacturers
to
this
ensures.
In
future,
we
see
improved
continued
safety
evaluation,
the
evaluation
across
the
aviation
industry
I.
Thank
you.
L
Thank
you,
which
is
agnostic
not
too
clear
that
an
interest,
as
a
member
of
you,
know
the
Union,
but
also
our
personal
interest,
as
my
son's
and
mechanical
engineering
student
and
currently
applying
to
companies
in
the
oil
and
gas
sector.
So
I
might
have
a
very
personal
interest
in
this
issue
shortly
and
can
I
also
welcome
members
of
unites
the
Union
to
the
chamber
and
thank
my
colleague,
Lewis
MacDonald,
for
bringing
this
important
to
be
this
evening.
L
As
the
convener
of
the
AT&T
Scottish
parliamentary
group,
I
feel
it's
important
I
put
across
the
views
of
the
end
member
sorne
estimated,
as
well
as
those
of
my
own
union
Unite
as
cleared
offshore
workers.
The
trade
unions,
and
indeed
the
public,
has
pointed
out
by
Mark
MacDonald
in
his
intervention.
It's
clear
that
these
super
pumas
have
an
unacceptable
CF
today,
I
could
when
flying
workers
to
and
fro
on
platforms
and
the
North
Sea.
Although
it
may
not
be
quite
as
clear
to
conservative
colleagues
and
the
chamber
this
evening.
L
Undoubtedly,
as
Neil
Babbitt
pointed
out
earlier,
the
unique
conditions
of
the
Nazi
contribute
to
that
inferior
safety
record
with
low
temperatures
and
exceptionally
high
crosswinds
presiding
officer.
The
facts
speak
for
themselves.
The
super
FEMA
has
been
responsible
for
the
deaths
of
33
people
in
North,
Sea
crashes,
since
2009
and
65
other
workers
and
crew
have
had
to
be
rescued
during
that
same
period
and
is
highlighted
and
the
motion
and
as
we've
heard
from
others,
offshore
workers,
confidence
and
super
pumas.
L
As
a
result
of
this
as
extremely
low
to
see
the
now
EMTs
general
secretary
Matt
cash
has
said
at
first
when
a
public
transport
theater
is
such
a
terrible
pattern
of
failure
would
have
been
tackled
long
ago
when
workers
consistently
point
to
helicopter
transport
as
the
number
one
safety
concern,
government
and
regulator.
So
all
levels
must
take
action
or
we
face
further
deterioration
in
the
perception
of
safety
at
work
offshore.
L
Meanwhile,
Pat
referred
to
the
Scottish
head
of
unite,
has
said
that
thousands
of
offshore
workers
or
be
ready
to
strike
if
sister
for
Puma
returns
now
that's
a
serious
situation,
but
less
aircraft
clearly
presents
a
danger
to
people
who
work
hard
for
their
economy
and
indeed
many
workers
only
six
that
have
taken
to
referring
to
it
as
a
flying.
Coffin
and
I.
Think
that
gives
us
a
very
clear
impression
of
how
they
view
us
particular
helicopter.
L
The
opinion
of
those
who
know
the
job
better
than
anyone
should
be
taken
very
seriously,
particularly
since
operators
are
not
unbiased
parties
and
that's
to
be.
Today
no
said
there
needs
to
be
meaningful
workforce
engagement
as
a
priority,
undoubtedly
improving
the
safety
of
helicopter
transport,
free
officer
and
workers
as
a
major
and
it's
crucial
to
the
future,
employment
of
Scottish
workers
and
the
oil
and
gas
industry.
L
And
if
this
is
not
done,
then
it's
going
to
lead
to
more
jobs
and
scales
flowing
away
from
our
domestic
industry
and
the
increased
use
of
cheap
labour
ice
is
already
happening
and
the
decommissioning
sector,
for
example,
Canadian
Natural
Resources
paid
no
an
IEE
workers
$45
per
day
to
decommission
the
murchison
platform
and
as
we
speak,
the
BP
MLF
platform
is
being
decommissioned,
using
a
workforce
employed
but
from
the
Philippines
who
are
loving
on
a
barge
connected
to
the
platform.
Today
enough.
L
So
these
supercomputers
have
been
grounded
since
May
2016
and
it
seems
beyond
belief
that
they
could
be
reintroduced
without
a
proper
and
dependent
inquiry
and
wells
that
are
ongoing
and
also
well
stood
at
or
investigations
and
to
the
course
of
the
gearbox
fatigue
and
the
alarm
system
failures.
And
further.
Last
month
the
European
Aviation
Safety
Agency
issued
an
emergency
directive
saying
a
main
rotor
component
and
the
205
is
susceptible
to
crack
development.
L
Is
there
any
wonder
that
workers
don't
want
to
travel
in
these
helicopters
and
surely
they
must
have
the
right
not
to
do
so
I
understand
from
the
workers
today
that
some
companies
and
I
think
it
was
mentioned
earlier.
There
need
to
be
such
as
oil
and
shale
have
already
indicated.
They
won't
be
using
super
pumas
and
I
hope
that
other
companies
will
follow.
The
safety
of
offshore
workers
must
be
our
number
one
priority
and
I
such
these
super
pumas
must
stay
grounded.
Thank
you.
K
You
presiding
officer
and
can
I
begin
by
offering
my
respects
to
those
who've
been
most
affected
personally
by
this
issue,
especially,
of
course,
those
who've
lost
a
friend,
a
colleague
or
a
loved
one,
and
can
I.
Also
pay
tribute
to
the
trade
unions
have
been
active
on
the
issue
and
congratulate
Louis
McDonald
for
bringing
the
debate
to
the
chamber.
I
have
occasionally
encountered
a
preconception
that
the
Greens
would
place
a
low
priority
on
any
issue
connected
to
the
oil
and
gas
industry.
K
Now,
notwithstanding
the
fact
that,
of
course,
helicopter
travel
will
be
relevant
for
the
future,
even
with
the
transition
to
offshore
renewable
energy
sources,
I
think
it
should
be
put
on
the
record
that
what
for
safety
in
relation
to
the
existing
fossil
fuel
industries
should
be
a
non-negotiable
issue,
regardless
of
the
different
views
that
we
have
about
the
vested
interests
of
the
fossil
fuel
industry
itself.
So
just
as
I
can
oppose
nuclear
energy.
K
Nuclear
safety
remains
an
extremely
important
priority
within
that
debate,
and
the
same
thing
applies
in
this
context
as
well,
and
so
with
the
recent
downturn
in
the
oil
and
gas
industry,
one
of
our
most
important
areas
of
concern
was
for
the
potential,
as
Elaine
Smith
alluded
to,
for
reducing
the
terms
and
conditions
for
the
workforce,
or
indeed
the
safety
conditions
that
they
work
with.
That's
a
share
concern
right
across
the
political
spectrum.
K
Trust
in
the
safety
that
that
the
workforce
who
have
to
travel
to
offshore
installations
by
helicopter
have
a
right
to
expect.
When
rail
crashes
take
place.
We
see
a
an
immediate
response
in
the
trust
that
people
have
in
the
rail
operators
when
there
are
stories
of
it,
the
safety
concerns
relating
to
road
vehicles.
We
see
that
reaction
as
well.
How
could
we
not
empathize
with
those
who
are
traveling
to
work
in
a
more
harsh
environment,
whether
much
greater
expectation
that
safety
measures
are
taken
to
look
after
them
in
relation
to
this
form
of
transport?
K
Greens
will
continue
to
support
that
call
alongside
those
representing
the
work
force
in
the
meantime.
In
the
meantime,
the
decision
should
absolutely
lie
with
the
workforce,
not
just
with
the
industry,
not
just
with
the
regulator's.
The
work
force
should
be
respected
and
if
they
wish
to
express
clearly
the
view
that
the
super
pumas
should
not
be
brought
back
into
service
their
decision,
their
decision
should
absolutely
be
one
that
we
all
respect.
Thank
you.
I.
M
You
presiding
officer
can
I
also
start
by
offering
up
my
condolences
and
continued
sympathy
of
the
Scottish
government
for
those
that
have
lost
family
members.
Friends.
Indeed,
those
from
local
communities
that
have
lost
community
members
and
the
tragic
accidents
that
have
taken
place
involving
super
puma
helicopters
can
also
congratulate
or
welcome
Lewis
MacDonald
for
bringing
this
debate
to
the
parliamentary
chamber,
I
think
the
debate.
The
quality
of
the
contributions
across
the
chamber
has
been
very,
very
high
indeed,
and
really
very
nuanced
as
well.
M
There's
been
some
key
central
themes
throughout
almost
every
contribution
which
I'm
trying
to
pick
up
on
as
well.
Of
course,
answering
one
or
two
questions
that
members
have
also
posed.
I
thought
the
we
lose
maybe
almost
started.
This
contribution
really
importantly
set
the
context,
and
other
members
picked
up
upon
this,
including
just
Patrick
Harvie
a
moment
ago,
that
there
are
very
few
professions
whereby
the
travel
to
that
profession
to
that
place
of
work
could
be
so
hazardous.
M
There
are
not
many
industries
where
you
travel
to
work
where
you
must
wear
a
full
survival
kit,
life
jacket
or
rebreather,
just
as
part
of
your
traveling
attire.
So
I
have,
as
I
know,
the
chamber
does
the
utmost
respect
for
every
man
and
women,
of
course,
who
works
in
the
industry.
The
tragic
accident
on
the
29th
of
April
last
year,
Norway,
where
13
people
silently
died
clearly
under
lines
of
reskin
challenges,
working
in
the
North
Sea.
M
I
stand
investigators,
I'm
being
satisfied
with
the
subsequent
changes
introduced
by
Airbus
helicopters.
I
would
like
to
be
clear
that
any
decision
to
lift
these
restrictions
is
made
by
the
regulator,
in
this
case
the
UK
sea
and
Norwegian
Sea
and
the
Scottish
government
doesn't
have
implemented
those
decisions.
The
regulation,
of
course,
must
maintain
their
independence
from
external
input.
However,
I
would
say
that
you
Kesey,
must
continue
to
work
with
helicopter
opportunities.
M
Offshore
industry,
international
regulators,
but
importantly
as
everybody
here
is
mentioned-
unions,
the
workforce
and
pilot
representatives,
because
that
is
the
key
in
the
crux
that
every
single
member
just
about
has
touched
upon
here
that,
regardless
of
what
has
left
it,
what
is
not
what
restrictions
have
been
put
in
place?
What
measures
have
been
taken?
What
mitigation
has
been
done
if
the
workforce
do
not
have
confidence,
as
is
clear
from
the
many
surveys
that
have
been
quoted?
M
M
I
was
looking
at
some
notes
and
more
where
and
as
members
will
be,
that
the
accidents
that
I've
already
mentioned
prior
to
the
accident
2016
the
CAA,
in
conjunction
with
the
European
Aviation
Safety
Agency,
the
Norwegian
Aviation
Authority,
and
an
independent
peer
review
group
under
review
of
offshore
helicopter
flying.
There
was
a
number
of
recommendations
that
were
made
on
the
back
of
that
and
the
recommendations
are
being
taken
forward
by
aside
the
offshore
helicopter
safety
action.
Scottish
Government
very
much
supported
this
review
and
Transport
Scotland
has
observer
status
on
the
governance
body.
M
M
I
would
be
more
than
happy
to
meet
with
both
United
Union
and
indeed,
as
Lynn
Smith
rightly
says,
the
RMT,
and
indeed,
if
any
members
wish
to
join
us
in
that
meeting,
to
hear
whether
or
not
those
unions,
the
workforce,
fuel
that
perhaps
those
recommendations
are
not
being
taken
forward
at
the
pace
they
would
like
to.
And
if
that
is
the
case,
then
I
would
like
to
hear
from
them
the
case
for
why
they
think
a
public
enquiry,
an
independent
inquiry.
I
should
say,
may
well
be
the
right
route
to
go
down.
M
I
know
settled
not
across
government,
as
I
say
as
part,
or
has
observer
status
and
the
governance
of
Oh
Hank,
and
therefore
we
very
much
looked
to
that
body
to
continue
the
work
that
they're
doing
to
give
confidence
where
they
can
to
the
workforce.
Lefting
of
of
these
restrictions
in
the
shipper
Kumar
as
I
say,
has
raised
concerns
with
the
industry
and
the
union's
clearly
putting
across
the
concerns
of
the
workforce.
They
represent
the
recent
surveys
by
Airbus
and
petitions
by
n8.
M
They
have
shown
that
there's
a
clear
lack
of
confidence
when
it
comes
to
the
super
puma
helicopters.
Airbus
have
a
lot
of
work
to
do
to
rebuild
that
confidence
and
trust
in
this
aircraft,
and
not
only
with
work
force
unions,
but
the
operators,
as
we
only
thing.
A
number
of
members
have
mentioned
some
of
those
or
even
cash
flow
operators.
We've
been
very
clear
in
the
view
publicly
that
they
have
no
plans
for
the
sternum
super
pumas
to
the
North
Sea
operations,
the
passengers
flight
crews,
they're
found.
M
A
number
of
members
have
said
that
they've
met
with
them
some
in
the
recent
days,
and
some
perhaps
before
that
and
I
would
say
that
Airbus,
their
team
have
not
taken
these
accidents
lightly
at
all,
I've
put
some
of
their
best
minds
to
finding
solutions
that
they
hope
will
give
confidence
but
know
nonetheless,
no
critical,
absolutely
critical
for
Airbus
to
work
with
you.
The
work
force
with
the
unions,
of
course,
the
industry
and
the
regulator
to
attempt
to
reinstall
confidence
and
trust
in
the
aircraft's
safety.
M
There
are
the
people,
the
Maine
and
the
women
that
have
to
travel
on
a
daily
a
weekly
basis
on
these
super
pumas.
The
workforce
must
play
a
key
part
in
any
decision
to
reintroduce
the
Super
Puma
back
in
tune
or
steer
operations.
No
decision
to
reinstate
the
Super
Puma
should
be
made.
You
know,
Ashley
with.