Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Helicopters Used as Lifting Machines Chapter 296-829, WAC

Effective Date: 09/01/04

WAC 296-829-400 Operating the Helicopter

For printing

Your Responsibility:

To make sure helicopters are operated safely

You must

Hold daily briefings	WAC 296-829-40005
Make sure employees are dressed correctly	WAC 296-829-40010
Make sure loads are attached correctly	WAC 296-829-40015
Make sure the load is handled correctly	WAC 296-829-40020

WAC 296-829-40005

Hold daily briefings

You must

Make sure the helicopter pilot and ground personnel hold a briefing before each day’s operation to discuss cargo-handling plans.

WAC 296-829-40010

Make sure employees are dressed correctly

You must

• Make sure employees receiving the load:
  • - Do not wear loose-fitting clothes that could snag on the hoist line.
  • - Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including complete eye protection and hard hats that are secured by chin straps.

Reference: For other requirements relating to PPE, see WAC 296-800-160 in the Safety and Health Core Rules.

WAC 296-829-40015

Make sure loads are attached correctly

You must

• Make sure loads are properly slung so tag lines can't be drawn up into rotors.
• Make sure precautions are taken on all freely suspended loads to keep hand splices from spinning open or cable clamps from loosening, such as using pressed sleeves or swedged eyes.
• Make sure the weight of the load doesn't exceed the manufacturer’s load ratings.
• Make sure hoist wires and other gear are not attached to or allowed to catch on any fixed structure.

Exemption: This requirement doesn't apply to pulling lines or conductors that “pay out” from a container or reel.

 

WAC 296-829-40020

Make sure the load is handled correctly

You must

• Make sure signal systems, whether radio or hand signals, are checked before hoisting the load:
  • - When using hand signals, use those shown in Figure 1.
• Make sure workers on the ground do either of the following before touching the suspended load:
  • - Use a ground device to safely discharge any static charge
  • or
  • - Put on and wear rubber gloves.
• Make sure there are enough employees for safe loading and unloading operations.
• Make sure constant communications are maintained between the pilot and signal person:
  • - The signal person must be distinctly recognizable from other ground personnel.

Helicopter Hand Signals, Figure 1