May 2025 Safety Alert: New OPITO & IOGP Helideck Training Standards Now in Effect

The offshore oil and gas industry continues to prioritize safety and operational excellence with the release of new training standards for helideck personnel. As of May 2025, key developments from OPITO and the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) have ushered in a new era of competence-based training and global standardization—particularly relevant to offshore helicopter operations.

🚁 Offshore Safety & Compliance Just Took a Major Step Forward

As of May 2025, the global offshore industry has rolled out new OPITO training standards for helideck personnel—part of a broader safety initiative led by OPITO, IOGP, and Offshore Energies UK (OEUK).

Whether you’re managing flight logistics or responding to helideck emergencies, these updated guidelines ensure that your team is fully trained, certified, and ready to operate under the highest international safety standards.

📘 New: OPITO Helicopter Administrator Training Standard

A critical gap has been closed. The new OPITO Helicopter Administrator Training standard formalizes administrative roles tied to helicopter logistics—passenger manifests, helicopter scheduling, and safety documentation.

This directly supports new requirements in CAP 437 Appendix K, reinforcing that helideck safety starts with organized, competent oversight.

📐 Aligned with IOGP Report 690 & CAP 437

The updated training requirements also bring strong alignment with IOGP Report 690, ensuring consistent global contracting standards for offshore helicopter operations. Key components include:

• Helideck Operations Initial Training (HOIT)
• Helideck Emergency Response
• Helideck Assistant (HDA) Training
• HLO (Helicopter Landing Officer) Certification

These changes help reduce regional variation and improve safety performance across global offshore platforms.

🌎 Regional Focus: Standards for the Americas

Acknowledging regulatory and operational differences across geographies, OPITO has developed region-specific training standards for the Americas. These include:

• Helideck Operations Initial Training (Americas)
• Emergency Response & Aviation Fuel Management Awareness

These frameworks are designed to support operations in regions like the Gulf of Mexico, where standardized training had previously been lacking. The goal is to ensure all helideck personnel—regardless of location—meet a baseline level of competence tailored to local legislation and operational realities.

Why These Changes Matter

The offshore environment is dynamic and high-risk. Helicopter operations—essential for transporting crew and cargo to remote offshore installations—demand absolute precision in both technical and administrative roles. These updates ensure that personnel across roles are well-prepared to support safe operations.

By aligning with international standards and customizing training for regional needs, the industry continues to make strides toward a safer and more competent offshore workforce.

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