Helicopter material handling

Under 1910.183(b) the pre-operation briefing must set out the day's plan of operation for the pilot and ground personnel and be conducted prior to each day's operation. The briefing should cover who will perform each task, sequence of lifts, signal systems (radio and hand signals), emergency procedures, and hazards such as rotor downwash and reduced visibility. See the requirement in 1910.183(b) and consider reviewing the hand signals illustrated in 1910.183(n).

Under 1910.183(c) loads must be properly slung and tag lines must be long enough to stay clear of the rotors; pressed sleeves, swedged eyes, or equivalent means must be used on freely suspended loads to prevent hand splices from opening or cable clamps from loosening. This means use factory-made eyes or properly swaged fittings rather than simple hand splices or loose clamps, and ensure tag lines are cut or secured to prevent them being drawn into the rotor blades. See 1910.183(c).

Under 1910.183(d) electrically operated cargo hooks must be tested by a competent person prior to each day's operation to verify that both the electrical and the emergency mechanical release functions operate properly. Employers must ensure the electrical activating device is designed to prevent inadvertent operation and that an emergency mechanical control is provided for releasing the load. See 1910.183(d).

Under 1910.183(e)(1) employers must provide and ensure the use of complete eye protection and hardhats secured by chinstraps for employees who receive the load. In practice this means ANSI-compliant eye protection and hardhats that the employee fastens with a chinstrap while working around hovering helicopters. See 1910.183(e)(1) and the head protection guidance in OSHA's interpretation on head protection for crane operators which explains when employers must require hardhats under 29 CFR 1910.135.

Under 1910.183(e)(2) workers may not wear loose-fitting clothing that is likely to flap in rotor downwash and become snagged on the hoist line. Employers should require fitted clothing or secure loose garments and eliminate scarves, loose cuffs, or other items that can catch on the hoist line. See 1910.183(e)(2).

Under 1910.183(f) employers must take all necessary precautions to protect employees from flying objects in rotor downwash by securing or removing all loose gear within 100 feet of the lift or deposit area and in other areas susceptible to rotor downwash. This means tie down, stow, or remove hats, tools, loose material, and unanchored equipment before helicopter operations begin. See 1910.183(f).

Under 1910.183(g) employers must maintain good housekeeping in all helicopter loading and unloading areas. Good housekeeping includes removing debris and loose materials that could become projectiles in rotor downwash, keeping walkways clear, and controlling dust that reduces visibility. See 1910.183(g).

Under 1910.183(h) the size and weight of loads and the manner in which they are connected to the helicopter must be checked, and a lift may not be made if the helicopter operator believes the lift cannot be made safely. Employers should verify load weight does not exceed limits, inspect slings and connections, and confirm rigging methods; the pilot has authority to refuse a lift on safety grounds. See 1910.183(h).

Under 1910.183(i) employees may only perform work under a hovering craft when a safe means of access is provided to reach and engage or disengage the hoist line hook, and employees are permitted to be under a hovering craft only when necessary to hook or unhook loads. This restricts personnel exposure beneath hovering helicopters to essential hooking/unhooking tasks performed from a safe access method. See 1910.183(i).

Under 1910.183(j) static charge on a suspended load must be dissipated with a grounding device before ground personnel touch the load, unless all ground personnel who may touch the suspended load are wearing protective rubber gloves. Use a grounding strap to bond the load to earth before contact, or ensure everyone handling the load wears appropriate insulating gloves. See 1910.183(j).

Under 1910.183(k) the weight of an external load must not exceed the helicopter manufacturer's rating. Always consult the helicopter's load chart and do not exceed the published limits for the specific configuration, altitude, and temperature. See 1910.183(k).

Under 1910.183(l) hoist wires or other gear, except pulling lines or conductors allowed to pay out from a container or reel, may not be attached to any fixed ground structure or allowed to foul on fixed structures. Employers must plan rigging and clear the area of any structures that could snag hoist lines. See 1910.183(l).

Under 1910.183(m) employers must instruct ground personnel to exercise special caution to keep clear of main and stabilizing rotors when visibility is reduced and must take precautions to eliminate, as far as practical, the dust or other conditions that reduce visibility. Practical steps include wetting down dust, relocating operations, or delaying lifts until visibility is safe. See 1910.183(m).

Under 1910.183(n) employers must instruct both the aircrew and ground personnel on the signal systems (radio and hand signals) to be used and review these systems with employees before hoisting; where hand signals are used they must be as shown in Figure N-1. Ensure every worker knows the agreed signals and designate a single signalman during lifts. See 1910.183(n).

Under 1910.183(o) no employee may approach within 50 feet of a helicopter while rotor blades are turning unless the employee's work duties require presence in that area. If their duties require closer approach, additional safety precautions and training should be in place. See 1910.183(o).

Under 1910.183(p) employees must remain in full view of the pilot and keep in a crouched position when approaching or leaving a helicopter with blades rotating. Also, employees may not work in the area from the cockpit or cabin rearward while blades are rotating unless authorized by the helicopter operator. See 1910.183(p).

Under 1910.183(q) employers must provide sufficient ground personnel to ensure helicopter loading and unloading operations can be performed safely. This means staffing enough trained people to control tag lines, rigging, signaling, and to maintain safety zones; the exact number depends on the complexity of the lift. See 1910.183(q).

Under 1910.183(r) there must be constant reliable communication between the pilot and a designated ground signalman during loading and unloading, and the signalman must be clearly distinguishable from other ground personnel. Use radios or the agreed hand-signal system and make the signalman visible with high-visibility clothing or a distinctive vest. See 1910.183(r).

Under 1910.183(s) open fires are not permitted in areas where they could be spread by rotor downwash. Employers should eliminate or control any open flames in or near landing and loading zones to prevent fire spread by downdraft from the rotors. See 1910.183(s).

Under 1910.183(c) and (i) proper rigging (using pressed sleeves, swedged eyes, or equivalent fittings and appropriately long tag lines) and providing safe means of access for hooking/unhooking will minimize the need for employees to work under hovering helicopters. Rig loads so they can be engaged from the side or with a long enough tag line, use approved fittings to prevent splice failure, and supply platforms or reach tools so ground personnel do not stand beneath hovering craft except when absolutely necessary. See 1910.183(c) and 1910.183(i).

Under 1910.183(j) grounding the suspended load is required before ground personnel touch it unless all ground personnel who may be required to touch the suspended load are wearing protective rubber gloves. So, employers may use rubber insulating gloves for everyone handling the load as an alternative, but grounding is the default control. See 1910.183(j).

Under 1910.183(e)(1) employers must provide hardhats secured by chinstraps, and employers should ensure those hardhats meet applicable head protection standards such as 29 CFR 1910.135 consensus standards referenced by OSHA. OSHA's interpretation on head protection for crane operators explains that head protection must comply with ANSI Z89.1 editions incorporated by reference in [29 CFR 1910.6]; see 1910.183(e)(1) and the Head protection for crane operators interpretation.

Under 1910.183(n) employers must instruct aircrew and ground personnel on the signal systems to be used and review them before hoisting; where hand signals are used they must be as shown in Figure N-1 of the standard. Train crews on the Figure N-1 hand signals so everyone uses consistent, approved gestures during lifts. See 1910.183(n) and the Figure N-1 image in the standard.

Under 1910.183(l) pulling lines or conductors that are allowed to "pay out" from a container or roll off a reel are an exception to the prohibition on attaching hoist wires or other gear to fixed ground structures; those pay-out lines are permitted to unreel as needed. All other hoist wires must not be attached to fixed structures or allowed to foul on them. See 1910.183(l).