This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/6980894.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Offshore safety concerns raised | Offshore safety concerns raised |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Two offshore unions have called on the Health and Safety Executive to investigate Shell's operations in the North Sea. | Two offshore unions have called on the Health and Safety Executive to investigate Shell's operations in the North Sea. |
| Unite and the OILC believe the recent loss of key personnel from platforms Shell is selling means remaining staff may be unable to cope in an emergency. | Unite and the OILC believe the recent loss of key personnel from platforms Shell is selling means remaining staff may be unable to cope in an emergency. |
| The unions say they have had complaints from staff on five Shell installations. | The unions say they have had complaints from staff on five Shell installations. |
| Shell said the company had made sure the platforms had appropriately-trained safety workers. | Shell said the company had made sure the platforms had appropriately-trained safety workers. |
| The unions claim to have had concerns raised about the Cormorant Alpha, Dunlin Alpha, Tern, Eider and North Cormorant installations. | The unions claim to have had concerns raised about the Cormorant Alpha, Dunlin Alpha, Tern, Eider and North Cormorant installations. |
| Asset sale | Asset sale |
| They said that since Shell announced the installations were for sale, communications between the company and the offshore workforce had deteriorated to the point it was impacting on operational safety. | They said that since Shell announced the installations were for sale, communications between the company and the offshore workforce had deteriorated to the point it was impacting on operational safety. |
| Morale is also at an all-time low and the departure of several key personnel has created gaps in safety critical positions, according to the unions. | Morale is also at an all-time low and the departure of several key personnel has created gaps in safety critical positions, according to the unions. |
| Jake Molloy, general secretary of the OILC union, said: "To ensure that the rig is operating safely then you need to have competent people, but these people are being eroded because of the forthcoming sale." | |
| He accused Shell of failing to talk to the workforce, who had real concerns about their situation. | |
| Mr Molloy added: "Staff are key to this operation. We want to impress upon Shell to act swiftly to retain these people with their wealth of knowledge and experience." | |
| In June, Shell and Esso announced they were putting their joint interests in a number of North Sea oilfields up for sale. | In June, Shell and Esso announced they were putting their joint interests in a number of North Sea oilfields up for sale. |
| Shell said "many" of its 400 onshore and offshore staff affected were expected to transfer to the new buyers. | Shell said "many" of its 400 onshore and offshore staff affected were expected to transfer to the new buyers. |
| A planned expansion of Shell's Aberdeen operational headquarters was also abandoned as a result of the decision. | A planned expansion of Shell's Aberdeen operational headquarters was also abandoned as a result of the decision. |