HOSC
Helicopter Operations Safety Committee
ABOUT
A Bit of Background
Commissioner Wells, in the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry Report, wrote about the need for increased worker involvement in the system(s) of safety regulation, stating that our system must have “worker representation up to the highest level of collaborative decision making.”
Furthermore: “This concept, if adopted, will place a high onus not only upon the Regulator, oil operators, and helicopter operator(s), but on the workers themselves, as individuals and through their representatives” (v. 1, p. 236).
The HOSC was formed in response to Commissioner Wells recommendation to develop and implement a single entity, with a clearly defined mandate, to bring together all stakeholders to enhance helicopter transport safety.
This entity is the Helicopter Operations Safety Committee (“HOSC”).
Purpose
The purpose of the Helicopter Operations Safety Committee (HOSC) is to provide a single entity through which the following shall be provided:
A consistent approach to general safety oversight related to helicopter transport;
A mechanism for the appropriate level of stakeholder participation and engagement;
A consistent approach to sharing lessons learned regarding helicopter transport safety;
A mechanism to address issues/concerns arising from stakeholders related to helicopter transport safety in the NL Offshore Area;
Proactive identification and addressing of issues related to helicopter safety in the NL
Offshore Area;
The committee is a continuous improvement mechanism for helicopter personal protective equipment (PPE) and on-board safety equipment in the industry;
Identification and fostering of opportunities for innovative technological improvements to helicopter safety in the NL Offshore Area.
Support for the HOSC will be provided by the C-NLOPB, Operators, Non-Operators and consultants/contractors as deemed necessary to fulfill the mandate of the Committee.
FUNCTION OF THE COMMITTEE
Act on behalf of those involved in the NL offshore oil and gas industry to establish priorities with respect to helicopter safety
ACTIVE MONITORING
Actively monitor helicopter transport safety issues and make recommendations to the Regulator and Operators
JURISDICTIONAL COLLABORATION
Liaise with other offshore jurisdictions for best practices and innovations
STEWART CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Steward continuous improvement of helicopter PPE and on-board safety equipment: keep abreast of industry’s improvement initiatives via Operator HOSC membership (Operators shall ensure such information reaches their HOSC rep), and, when the committee sees a need arising, recommend improvement action or research to the industry by writing to the management of the operating companies; with a maximum 6 month review period for follow-up
OHSI RECOMMENDATIONS
Regularly review the status of recommendations from the Offshore Helicopter Safety Inquiry and act as the sustaining force to drive certain recommendations from the OHSI
COMMUNICATION
Communicate the work of the Committee and all developments in helicopter safety to the workforce via CAPP, JOHSC and Safety Forums
COMMON AVIATION PRACTICES
Develop and promote common aviation practices and consistent application in the NL Offshore Area
ISSUE MITIGATION PROPOSALS
Propose mitigation measures to safety issues that arise in the areas of SAR, PPE, operational limitations, survival training and any other areas where aspects of helicopter safety arise
WORKFORCE ENGAGEMENT
Solicit input from offshore workforce
FORMAL OPERATOR RECOMMENDATIONS
As per the Mandate of the Committee, one of the important functions in its effort to sustain continued safe helicopter operations and safe transport of offshore personnel is the development of formal recommendations. These recommendations will be the means to inform regulatory and industry decision-makers of an important issue and a proposed solution.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SUGGESTIONS
Suggest R&D activity in offshore helicopter transportation that has common benefit to the Industry
— F.S. Hughes.
"Safety brings first aid to the uninjured.”