The Step Change in Safety study found that oil and gas workers prefer The Press and Journal ahead of their own employers and industry bodies, including industry association Oil & Gas UK, Step Change in Safety and trade unions, say the publishers DC Thomson.
It comes after two serious North Sea incidents last year involving Eurocopter’s Super Puma EC225 aircraft, in which pilots were forced to ditch while carrying offshore workers.
The survey interviewed more than 1600 offshore workers and nearly nine out of 10 had lost confidence in EC225s. The figures were presented at an aviation seminar organised by Oil & Gas UK.
Step Change Team Leader Les Linklater said, “It is really important if you are a trusted information source to recognise the position you hold. We have to recognise that The Press and Journal, in particular, is really important for us in getting the right message out there.”
RMT Union Regional Organiser Jake Molly told delegates that the findings highlighted the need for the industry to “up your game” over communicating with workers.
The Press and Journal Editor Damian Bates said, “We are proud to be an influential voice at the heart of the oil and gas industry. It is clear to see that offshore workers trust The Press and Journal and regard us as their main source of information about helicopter safety.”
He added, “This is an issue that will not go away and we will continue to provide readers with all the relevant information they need.”
The Press and Journal recently launched Energy Voice, an offshoot of its monthly Energy supplement.
According to the publishers, the new website – www.energyvoice.com – offers unrivalled independent coverage of the UK and international energy industry, as well as the renewables sector and global energy news.
