Mars - Believe it or not the oversight system you advocate has gotten better. Granted it's taken way too long, but unlike the old days where every pilot made his own decision, often under pressure from the customer, the big operators now have a system of 'levels' based on reported weather. Lower ones are cautions promulgagted at the base and broadcast on the radio. Higher level means operations on a case by case, management decision. The highest level is to shut it down. Its not uncommon to hear over the radio that such and such base is closed. No more "let's give it a try."
Another positive these days is the company will back you up if you decide not to go. That wasn't always the case.
A few years back, one of the Gulf majors sold off over 50 206's and some 35 contracts. Granted it was a business - money decision, but a collateral reason was management was tired of being pressured by the customer who were pushing the pilots.
A little background to keep in mind. The shelf in the Gulf of Mexico is slowly dying. All the big money is deep water. The thousands of structures on the shelf are, with a couple of exceptions, owned by small oil companies. Its not uncommon to see a new job on the board for a company no one ever heard of. They need little ships to land on toadstools and will use single engine VFR machines everytime.