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Workers trust paper more than employers, survey shows

A regional daily has been praised after a study found offshore workers trusted it as a better source of information than their own employers on helicopter safety.

A study found that oil and gas worker prefer Aberdeen’s Press and Journal for information ahead of their own employers and industry bodies, including Oil & Gas UK, Step Change in Safety and trade unions.

The survey by Step Change in Safety was carried out 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.

It interviewed more than 1600 offshore workers and nearly nine out of 10 had lost confidence in EC225s, with the figures being presented at an aviation seminar.

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.

“This is an issue that will not go away and we will continue to provide readers with all the relevant information they need.”

Step Change team leader Les Linklater added: “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.