Equinor Agrees Further Helicopter Measures amid Noise Complaints

SUBSCRIBE SEARCH ARTICLES NEWS Norwegian unions have secured an agreement with Equinor and Italian aerospace company Leonardo for further technical measures on AW189 helicopters following hearing complaints from workers who use the aircraft for offshore transport. Image by itjoestheim via iStock

Norwegian unions have secured an agreement with Equinor ASA and Italian aerospace company Leonardo SpA for further technical measures on AW189 helicopters following hearing complaints from workers who use the aircraft for offshore transport.

Norway's majority state-owned Equinor has ordered the helicopters taken off work for repair after Styrke met with senior management earlier this month, the union said in an online statement, noting it has raised concerns about hearing risks since about a year ago after complaints from workers.

Styrke and the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) have now struck an agreement with Equinor, manufacturer Leonardo and operator Lufttransport on "further testing and technical improvements", Styrke said, as translated from Norwegian.

"Among other measures, additional sound-insulating material will be installed in the passenger cabin", it said. "The helicopters will then be tested to verify the effectiveness of the modifications".

Henrik Fjeldsbø, union secretary at Styrke and chair of the LO helicopter committee, said, "We have a good and constructive dialogue with Equinor and are participating in the process. We are optimistic. But we will not accept the AW189 being returned to service until measurements show that the noise level is acceptable".

According to Fjeldsbø, cabin noise must be at or below that found in comparable offshore-configured helicopters operating elsewhere in the world.

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Styrke said there have also been complaints about noise levels at the smaller AW139 helicopters. While measurements indicated noise levels at the AW139 were lower than AW189, "the union has succeeded in getting noise levels in the AW139 formally assessed, and possible mitigation measures will be considered", Styrke added.

Besides the technical measures, Fjeldsbø said, "We are determined that everyone who has reported hearing problems should be monitored and receive the assistance they need".

Styrke had assured Equinor workers they would not have fewer trips or have their income deducted if they opt out of flying on the AW189.

"All offshore employees travelling for Equinor, including employees of the supplier companies, have the right to opt out of AW189 and be offered transport with another helicopter type", it said in a statement August 18.

On July 6 the safety teams of Equinor and Vår Energi ASA exercised their right to stop flights using the helicopter, as confirmed by the Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil).

On July 13 Havtil lifted the suspensions, saying there was no immediate danger to life and health but that the order did not mean it considered the noise complaints insignificant. The regulator allowed the helicopters back to work on the condition that the oil and gas companies provide alternative helicopter transport.

However, on September 31, Havtil said it had now ordered Equinor to analyze "reported adverse health outcomes".

"We have received data from the operators who use the AW189 that shows numerous adverse health outcomes. Tinnitus is the most commonly reported health issue, but there have also been reports of ear pain, discomfort, changes in hearing, sound sensitivity, headaches and nausea", Havtil said last month.

"Data on sick leave and preliminary reports of occupational illnesses indicate that these incidents cannot be limited to mild and transient symptoms.

Modifications implemented "have contributed to a significant reduction in cabin noise. However, health outcomes continue to be reported, and Equinor has paid little attention to factors other than noise levels as a cause of health outcomes among personnel who have flown on the AW189", Havtil noted.

"Based on the information we have received, Havtil does not believe that the causal relationships behind these incidents have been sufficiently clarified, analyzed and understood.

"The operators have established a voluntary arrangement under which individual employees can opt out of flying on the AW189-type helicopters. Data from the operator indicates that a significantly higher proportion of the operator's employees are opting out of flying on the AW189-type helicopters than is the case among the contractor's employees.

"At the same time, the reports indicate that there are fewer recorded health outcomes among contractor employees than among operator employees. In addition, there is considerable variation in the reporting of adverse health outcomes among different facilities".

Equinor spokesperson Morten Eek said the additional measures continue work started by a joint task force.

"While the AW189 helicopters are undergoing this, we use S-92 helicopters for transport offshore to the Snorre and Visund fields", Eek told Rigzone.

"Equinor has also followed up the order from Havtil with an overview on how further measurements are being conducted (technical then - on sound insulation and introducing new type of new headsets with active noise cancelation) and a strengthened follow-up on health-related observations reported back from offshore travelers".

Leonardo told Rigzone in August it had "promptly engaged with all relevant stakeholders to better understand the observations received and evaluate potential opportunities for further optimization of the in-cabin passenger experience".

It said the issues raised were the first in over 10 years of AW189's offshore operations and more than 200,000 flight hours logged by over 60 units serving the global energy industry.

"Leonardo has worked in close coordination with the operator and the involved energy companies to assess and implement initiatives tailored to the specific single aircraft that required intervention; initial feedback on the action taken has already been positive", Leonardo said.

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