N.L. workers refused to fly in helicopters: oil official

Some offshore oil industry workers have refused to go to work since November because of concerns about the safety of offshore helicopters, according to a top oil industry official in St. John's.

The president of the Hibernia Management and Development Corporation, said Monday that three workers have refused to get on board a helicopter to carry them to offshore platforms since Robert Decker testified at the Offshore Helicopter Inquiry Nov. 5.

"All three of them occurred after Robbie Decker's testimony," said HMDC president Paul Sacuta.

He said all three workers are now back at their the jobs.

Seventeen people died when Cougar Flight 491 crashed into the ocean March 12, 2009. Decker was the sole survivor.

The Offshore Helicopter Inquiry resumed Monday, Jan 11, after a month-long break.

In a scrum with reporters Monday, the lawyer representing hundreds of offshore workers said he was only aware of two people who had refused to fly on helicopters.

Communication, Energy and Paper Workers Union lawyer Randy Earle said the oil workers who refused to travel offshore by helicopter are concerned about an issue that was raised by Decker in his testimony — a large auxiliary fuel tank that is in the cabin with Cougar helicopter passengers.

Decker said the tank makes it difficult for passengers to escape a helicopter that has crashed into the ocean.

Earle said it's important  that three workers have refused to fly.

"It takes a lot of courage to stand up and say I'm not doing that, that's not safe," said Earle. " I think it's very significant that three people chose to do that."

On Monday three oil industry executives were scheduled to testify.

The inquiry was established by the Canada Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board to find ways to improve safety for offshore oil industry workers.