Amicus targets offshore health and safety failings

Offshore workers' union Amicus has called for better safety regulations in the oil industry, after the HSE identified a lack of progress in protecting workers' health.

Newly published HSE figures show that there has been no reduction in the number and rate of major injuries to workers, or the number of dangerous occurrences offshore, over the last ten years.

Now Amicus has told safety minister Lord Hunt that the Offshore Installations (Safety Representatives and Safety Committees) Regulations 1989 should be completely revised.

"The current legislation is out of date in an era that encourages greater participation in health and safety issues and management, and better workplace involvement and consultation," said Rab Wilson, Amicus national officer for the offshore industry. "The growth of contractualisation in the industry is also resulting in poorer safety standards offshore."

Amicus is also currently pursuing a legal case to extend the European Working Time Directive to offshore workers, giving them the right to paid time off.

The Offshore Safety Statistics Bulletin 2004/05 is available at www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/statistics/stat0405.htm