A new report from Oil & Gas UK has revealed a mixed health and safety performance of the offshore sector in 2013.
The report noted that there had been a 49% reduction in the number of reportable hydrocarbon releases during the three years ending March 2013, narrowly below the 50% target.
The report added that the rest of the year saw an overall rise in the total number of releases and a slight increase in reportable injuries and dangerous occurrences.
Oil & Gas UK health and safety director Robert Paterson said: "Despite the ongoing and encouraging decrease in major and significant releases over the last year, the industry is not yet where it needs to be.
"Industry, working closely with the regulators and the workforce through Step Change and other bodies, is refocusing attention on preventative strategies and programmes to maintain and enhance momentum in this crucial area."
Commenting on aviation safety, which dominated the North Sea industry’s agenda in 2013 following a helicopter crash near the Shetland Islands that caused the deaths of four workers, Paterson said: "This incident prompted a number of investigations and reviews of UK offshore aviation safety by various bodies, including the Helicopter Safety Steering Group, the Parliamentary Transport Select Committee and the Civil Aviation Authority."
Oil & Gas UK’s membership, which includes oil and gas producers and contractor firms, now stands at more than 450.
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