Calls for urgent review of Fatal Accident Inquiries

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has renewed its call for a review of the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) system in Scotland, following the publication of the FAI findings into the deaths of 16 men in the Miller Helicopter tragedy in the North Sea on 1st April 2009,

In making the call, Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, commented that it was vitally important that lessons are learned as soon as possible after fatal events such as the helicopter crash, and that are recommendations are put in place to avoid further loss of life.

“The efforts of Sheriff Derek Pyle to bring forward the recommendations timeously to avoid further unnecessary suffering for the loved ones of those who lost their lives are very welcome,” he said. “However, we have to remember it has taken three weeks short of five years to get to this stage, an unacceptably long time for those who have lost most.”

“We are now calling on the Scottish Government to support proposals from Patricia Ferguson MSP for her Inquiries into Deaths (Scotland) Bill and act quickly to ensure no other families are let down by our inefficient Fatal Accident Inquiry system,” he explained.

“The STUC will continue to support offshore trade unions and our lawyers to campaign for a safer offshore industry, for any necessary inquiry to address safety issues in the North Sea and for justice for families left behind following preventable accidents,” he added.

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