Well if we're talking about the same John A, (which Im sure we are), Im lucky enough to be instructed by him, an amazing pilot.
Coming from the building industry I think that the one thing that made the work place alot safer was the unions. Not that Im particularly advocating that style but over the last 15 years Ive seen sites get progressively safer.
One thing that may be worth thinking about is something like the PHPA, having a recomended company register. The idea that any company that wants to can register with them, and have the log books and the service sheets on file. THe benefit for the company would come in with insurance cuts or something of the like.
Only an idea.
One other thing when mobile cranes go out on site they are required to have their log books with them and a a photocopy is taken of the log book and kept by the customer.
Again its the few F@#$ing it up for hte honest ones, so there must be some way for the honest ones to benifit and the dishonest ones to pay.