Helicopter guidelines for land seismic & helirig operations - OGP

Helicopter guidelines for land seismic & helirig operations
Annex G
Generic hazards & controls inventory
The appendices present an inventory of known hazards in land helicopter supported geophysical
operations. They also incorporate suggested controls that may be used to reduce the potential
risks presented by these hazards. The inventory captures industry experience on causes of
accidents in the past and should be consulted when compiling the formal Hazard Register for
the HSE-MS of an operation with helicopters.
The words ‘hazard’ and ‘risk’ are used loosely in association with the widest possible meaning of
ëanything with a potential to cause harmí.
Risks (before and after controls are applied) must be assessed on a case-by-case basis, as they will
depend on the type and location of an operation.
Common ground is generally not addressed. The focus is on specific land helicopter supportrelated
hazards. However, to err on the safe side, some hazards common to other types of
operations are included.
Also, most general aviation hazards, such as mechanical failures of the aircraft or pilot error etc.
are not included.
G.1 Environmental hazards & suggested controls
Weather
Hazard description
Adverse weather conditions that may affect
helicopter operations include:
• Low clouds, fog, rain or snow reducing visibility,
risk of:
—Collision — with obstacles.
—Getting — lost during VFR flights.
• Freezing temperatures that may result in:
—slippery — walkways,
—ice — accumulation on the aircraft.
—ice — accumulation can also be the cause of
breaking antenna wires etc.
—adversely — affect engine performance (failure to
start).
• Strong winds, especially around hilltop helipads
can:
—Affect — the flight path of the helicopter.
—Cause — trees at edges of forest (helipads, rivers
etc) to fall.
—Cause — dust or light objects in the air (FOD)
• Glare from low or reflected sun:
—Can — be blinding to pilot
—May — make a helipad difficult to locate
Suggested controls
• Plan operations taking into account prevailing
weather conditions and the extremes that can be
expected in the course of the operations.
• Ensure availability of regular, reliable weather
forecasts and advanced warning system for
adverse conditions.
• Avoid weather conditions that are outside
the operating envelope of the aircraft in use.
Availability and map of emergency landing
locations.
• Incorporate weather conditions in Manual Of
Permitted Operations and Emergency Response
Plan.
• The Pilot has the obligation and must have the
authority to suspend or modify operations, without
further approval from management, in case of
adverse weather.
• Avoid presence of personnel at edge of helipads
cut in jungle, as trees may fall inwards. Place
camps, shelters etc well inside the forest.
• Keep landing pad at least one tree height away
from tree line.
• Minimize flying below tree line.
• Avoid dry dusty helipads, spray with water or
treat/cover otherwise.
• Housekeeping: no loose light materials near
helipad or flight path.
• Take into account when positioning helipads and
related direction of approach path.
• Avoid strongly reflecting surfaces near landing
locations
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