Here is a key part of the Executive Summary of the Sintef HSS-3 report from Norway.
1. There has been only one helicopter accident, with no fatalities, on the NCS during the period 1999–2009. This represents a significant reduction compared with the previous period 1990–1998 where there were 2.3 fatalities per one million passenger flight hours. For the whole 20 year period of 1990–2009, five accidents with 12 fatalities are recorded. These data result in a risk estimate of 0.9 fatalities per one million person flight hours and an accident rate of 0.4 accidents per million person flight hours.
2. The risk reduction on the NCS in the period 1999–2009 compared with 1990–1998 is estimated to be 16 % according to expert judgements. The most important contributing factors are as follows:
Gradual introduction of new helicopter types and the implementation of the latest generation helicopter technology
Improved use of systems for vibration monitoring in helicopters (Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) / Vibration Health Monitoring (VHM))
Increased pilot skill by added requirements regarding competence, experience and simulator training on NCS operations.
Improved flight operational procedures
Improved helideck design and operations through requirements and active use of the Norwegian Oil Industry Association's (OLF) helideck manual and guidelines
Improved emergency preparedness (such as improved emergency personal locator beacons, impact absorption and rescue suits, more rescue helicopters)
Introduction of Safety Management System (SMS)
The establishment of the Committee for Helicopter Safety on the Norwegian Continental Shelf has contributed to cooperation and promoted specific offshore safety related rules and recommendations specified in the Helicopter Safety on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.
- Part 1: Organizing of the public authorities’ involvement (NOU 2001: 21) and
- Part 2: Trends, objectives, risk influencing factors and recommended measures (NOU 2002:17).
There are similarities to the approach to SAR that I have become familiar with. No magic wand. The essentials seem to be that they do joined up thinking very well and they look at the numbers. (And they spend the Krone.)
Para 5 is titled as follows.
5. Improve interaction between the operators involved in offshore helicopter transport.
They are also extremely frank about the commercial and international regulatory pressures that could threaten their safety regime.