ABSTRACT

When observing the variation in the actual level of accidents it is reasonable to ask the question: Why is it much safer to use helicopter transport offshore than onshore? Through this paper, we wish to address whether there could be some organizational factors that may provide an explanation. In order to do this, we have conducted a systematic comparison of how Norwegian offshore helicopter and onshore helicopter (i.e. ambulance/police and inland helicopter) operations are organized and managed. The aim is to present some hypotheses regarding organizational differences that may explain this variation in the safety level.