Through the Flames: Piper Alpha – A Son’s Story

A deeply personal new memoir by oil & gas safety professional Shane Gorman has been published, sharing his story of loss, survival and what came after Piper Alpha.

Through the Flames: Piper Alpha – A Son’s Story was launched on 3 July, which was the 38th anniversary of the last time Shane saw his father, David Gorman, who left to work on Piper Alpha the following day. David was one of the 167 men who lost their lives that night.

Safety became a fundamental part of Shane’s own offshore career, having started as a roustabout at the age of 42 to try and understand the challenges faced by the offshore workforce, carrying with him the influence of his father, who had worked as a safety officer. On the back of David’s hard hat was a simple sticker: “Speak to Other Side” - his way of encouraging conversation before the job, not after the incident.

That message still resonates with Shane today. His story reflects on how easily routine work can drift, near misses become background noise and people grow accustomed to risk - reinforcing why recognising warning signs early, asking questions and having the confidence to speak up matter.

“This is more than a book for me. It’s a chance to turn loss into something meaningful, to keep memories alive, and to spark conversations about safety, resilience, family, and hope.”

As a friend of the Step Change in Safety team and someone who works closely with us, Shane has shared his experience and commitment to improving safety across industry with great openness. It has been a privilege to support him on the journey to publication and to see such a deeply personal project come to life.

Through the Flames: Piper Alpha – A Son’s Story is available now. Visit Shane’s website to find out more and order your copy:

https://www.throughtheflames.co.uk/