1. (1) Prior to daily operations, a briefing must be conducted. This briefing must set forth the plan of operation for the pilot(s) and ground personnel. Anytime a change in operating procedure is necessary, affected personnel must be notified in advance.
2. (2) There must be reliable radio communications available between the helicopter service areas, woods, landing and ground crews. In the absence of radio communication there must be a designated signal person.
3. (3) Personnel must get the pilot’s attention and permission before approaching a helicopter that has the rotor blades turning.
4. (4) When approaching or leaving a helicopter that has the rotor blades turning, personnel must follow the specific company procedures established for the type and make of aircraft.
5. (5) Personnel must wear high-visibility hard hats. When personnel are exposed to rotor wash, the hard hats must be secured by a chin strap.

6. (6) Personnel are not required to wear hard hats when:

   1. (a) Working in helicopter service areas to perform activities, such as refueling or maintenance.
   2. (b) Filling buckets from dip-tanks or tankers.
   3. (c) Loading seed, fertilizer or chemicals.
7. (7) The flagging and signing requirements of OAR 437-007-0510 and 437-007-0515 must be complied with when the helicopter flight path crosses a road(s).
8. (8) Riding the hook of a helicopter is prohibited, except in a life-threatening emergency.
9. (9) The drop zone must be large enough for the load(s) to be landed without endangering the landing crew.

10. (10) The landing crew must be in the clear until the:

    1. (a) Load is placed on the ground.
    2. (b) Chokers are released from the hook.
11. (11) The landing must be kept as free of debris as possible.
12. (12) Before any load is moved, personnel must be in the clear.
13. (13) When the helicopter is carrying a load or chokers, personnel must remain in the clear. Under no circumstances may personnel and occupied machines or vehicles be under a suspended load.
14. (14) If ground personnel need to lighten a load, they must remain in the clear until the load is stabilized.
15. (15) If a load must be aborted or lightened by the pilot, ground personnel must be in the clear before the pilot releases the hook.
16. (16) The yarding helicopter must be equipped with a siren to warn personnel of any hazardous situation.

Statutory/Other Authority

ORS 654.025(2) & 656.726(4)

Statutes/Other Implemented

ORS 654.001 - 654.295

History

OSHA 5-2003, f. 6-2-03, cert. ef. 12-1-03