Safety and Industrial Relations in the Newfoundland Offshore Oil Industry since the Ocean Ranger Disaster in 1982

Abstract

Based on an examination of safety and industrial relations since the Ocean Ranger disaster, the article argues that government and industry changes have not fully addressed the problems that emerged from the investigation. Although the establishment of a single regulatory agency in the province is an improvement, some jurisdictional ambiguity remains and occupational health and safety regulations are still in draft form after their introduction more than ten years ago. Unionization is seen as an important step toward a safe workplace offshore, particularly in view of some current concerns: working schedules, training, evacuation, and search-and-rescue helicopters.