A worker in Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore oil industry said Wednesday that he has seen many safety improvements since the crash of Cougar flight 491 last March, but he does believe search and rescue capabilities can be improved.

"SAR rescue and the way it is set up is the final thing we are going to have to see coming up here, and determine the best available process and equipment we can use," said Mark Frost, an employee representative on the offshore joint occupational health and safety committee. "That would be the thing I'm looking forward to the most to see how they can improve that."

Frost, an instrumentation technician on Husky Energy's Sea Rose oil production platform 350 kilometres southeast of St. John's, said survival suits have been improved to include features such as a breathing device that can be used for a short time underwater.

A panel of three executives from oil companies operating in Newfoundland and Labrador's offshore industry testified at the inquiry this week.

They all said offshore safety has come a long way since a Cougar helicopter crashed into the ocean March 12, 2009, killing 17 of 18 people who were on it.

Paul Sacuta, president of the Hibernia Management and Development Corporation said he'd sleep comfortably knowing one of his children worked on the oil platform he manages.

Provincial NDP Leader Lorraine Michael was scheduled to testify at the inquiry Thursday.