Independent safety agency and increased transparency proposed
The board that regulates the oil industry off Newfoundland's east coast has accepted almost all the recommendations from an inquiry following a fatal March 2009 helicopter crash.
Inquiry head Robert Wells made 29 recommendations last month to improve the safety of helicopter travel to offshore oil platforms.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board accepted 27 of the recommendations including the development of a safety agency independent from the board to better protect workers and the environment. The board referred this to the federal and provincial governments for a decision.
Another accepted recommendation surrounds changes to access to information. The operators will report incidents to the board and they will be making more information available. In moving toward increased transparency, the board will also be posting more information on its website.
A recommendation to continue banning night flights is accepted except for medical emergencies and will be revisited when a fully equipped search and rescue chopper is certified.
