HELICOPTER SAFETY GUIDELINES

HELICOPTER SAFETY

Guidelines:

 The helicopter is normally very safe but must be approached with caution.

 Areas around a helicopter that present a hazard are indicated in the picture to

the right in bold font.

 Operating areas should be kept clear of all personnel, cargo, hazardous

articles, personal belongings, and materials, tools that may be blown around the rotor downdraft while the helicopter is approaching or leaving the landing area (helipad).

 Approach and leave the helicopter in a crouched position and always within

view of the pilot. Never towards the rear of the helicopter.

 On uneven ground, always approach and leave on the downhill side. Never

on the uphill side.

 All equipment such as tools, materials, etc, must be carried horizontally below waist level. Never upright or over the shoulder.

 Any loose articles of clothing (scarves, caps, hard hats, goggles, mitts, etc.) must be

properly secured before approaching or leaving the helicopter.

 Always keep a tight grip on loose articles.

 Fasten seatbelt and keep fastened at all times until pilot signals the belt maybe

undone.

 PFDs should be worn when operating over water.

 Smoking is forbidden in or near the machine when it is on the ground.

 Do not slam helicopter doors.

 Cargo should be loaded and unloaded carefully and not thrown, dropped or jammed

in the cabin. Hazardous cargo may only be loaded in accordance with regulations.

 The pilot is responsible for how the cargo weight is distributed. Make sure the pilot

knows the true weight of the cargo. Don’t guess/

 Make sure cargo loads are secure before departing. Never leave loose articles or

ropes on cargo racks.

 When using cargo locker, ensure you the correct door that it is properly closed

again with nothing hanging out. Always let the pilot know what weight is in the

locker and whether it is heavy.

 Never throw anything around a helicopter.

 The clear area to ground level within 15 meters of landing pad to give main and tail rotor

adequate clearance. The pad should be 4 meters square and be level and firm. If landing area is soft, use poles or tree trunks under skids. Poles must be secured so they cannot move. Snow pads must have contrasting markers to provide the pilot with a positive visual reference.

 Landing area’s wind direction indicators should be clearly visible at all times.

 Ensure the landing area’s approach and departure paths are within the capabilities of the helicopter for allowing for aircraft weight, altitude, temperature, and wind.

 When directing helicopter to land, stand at the edge of a cleared area with back to the wind. Stay within the pilot’s vision at all times.

 Ensure sufficient area cleared for main and tail rotor. See photo to the right for the helicopter’s blind area.

 Wear high-visibility personal protective equipment and secured hard hat so you are easily seen when the helicopter is landing.

 Slinging: when slinging ensure load is properly secured in net or sling. Ensure aircraft hook is properly closed/latched. Ensure pilot knows the true weight of the load.

 When rigging sling loads, always wear high visibility vest, hard hat with chin

strap, safety goggles, gloves and hearing protection.

 Keep clear of sling load at all times. Never turn your back to the load once the

helicopter is hooked up. Do not stand under sling load when the helicopter is

arriving/departing.

 Discuss emergency procedures with the pilot before slinging loads.

 If forced down with a helicopter, stay with the aircraft unless you know you can

reach help before an air search finds you. Be prepared to attract search aircraft

using flares, smoke, signal mirrors, or other available means.