Bristow achieves ISO 14001 certification for UK ops

Above: Bristow Ground Operations Officer Tim Leitch prepares to refuel an S-92 at Aberdeen, UK.
Courtesy Bristow

The certification confirms Bristow’s UK operations have a certified environmental management systems (EMS) in place to monitor, manage, and deliver continuous improvement at its bases in Scotland, England and Wales.

To achieve certification, Bristow successfully completed a rigorous seven-day audit, which demonstrated how its EMS is documented and implemented at all levels of its UK business, its commitment to manage and minimise its impact on the environment, and its commitment to reduce pollution and harm to the environment.

The certification encompasses Bristow’s UK oil and gas business and Her Majesty’s Coastguard bases Bristow operates on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Under its EMS, Bristow conducts audits of its operating bases’ environmental plans to ensure a consistent approach across the company.

“It’s a significant milestone for Bristow to achieve this accreditation and underlines our commitment to continuously improving on our environmental stewardship and performance,” said Matt Rhodes, director UK Oil & Gas at Bristow. “Our robust EMS is already achieving significant energy efficiencies, and we look forward to building on this.”

During the certification process, a number of criteria must be met and incorporated into the EMS. These included leadership and top management demonstrating a high level of environmental leadership and commitment, as well as ensuring that it is visible throughout the organisation.

“The environmental impact of our operations has understandably become increasingly important to us and our clients, and this certification provides assurance that we are proactively monitoring and managing our EMS and working hard to reduce and offset our environmental footprint and the crucial role we all play in protecting our environment for future generations,” added Rhodes.

As part of its ISO 14001 certification, Bristow is committed to achieving a number of environmental objectives, including proactive measures to achieve the company’s environmental and compliance obligations such as reducing aircraft emissions and decreasing the environmental impacts of its operations. To accomplish this, Bristow uses a modern fleet with the latest technologies to ensure aircraft engines perform efficiently and are regularly maintained by an experienced engineering team.

Bristow also uses flight planning software for payload management and minimising time on ground runs. Pilot procedures also play a key role, and Bristow pilots are trained to fly at a lower torque, which burns less fuel, cuts emissions, and increases component life. Bristow also uses the latest technology fuel bowsers with enhanced safety features such as automatic shut off systems, which are regularly upgraded to eliminate spillage.

Bristow is also committed to minimising other environmental impacts including emissions, preventing discharges to water and land, waste reduction, and the reduction of hazardous products by removing, reducing or replacing those products with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Bristow is also actively ensuring noise levels remain as low as reasonably practicable and ensuring that natural habitat is protected from its operations.

ISO 14001 establishes an EMS that can be used to enhance environmental performance, fulfil compliance obligations, and achieve environmental objectives. The international standard ensures environmental responsibilities are managed in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability. ISO 14001 helps an organisation achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system, which provide value for the environment, the organisation itself and interested parties.