HAC Oil & Gas IBP - Helicopter Association of Canada

1. GENERAL1.1. IntroductionThe Helicopter Association of Canada Oil & Gas Committee defers to the OGP maintenance ofcomprehensive worldwide database of accident statistics covering all aviation activitiesperformed by the Oil and Gas industry, with a specific focus on helicopter operations as well asIHST/JHSAT Canada data.1.1.1. Periodic review of this database highlights land exploration operations in support as the areathat continues to incur the highest accident rates of all of the roles performed in support of oiland gas exploration and production.1.1.2. The purpose of this document is to promote effective management of helicopter operations insupport of land exploration surveys from front end through drilling and recording operations.The information contained within this document should be viewed as recommended bestpractices and each party to the operations may identify additional or alternative controlspertinent to the area of operations and the activity being conducted..1.1.3. Annex A provides guidance on the general subject of Risk Management and Risk Reduction. Inthis Annex A the Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM) is defined, which will be referenced throughoutthis document.1.2. Guidelines for use1.2.1. This document is for guidance only and interpretation of the material provided in this documentmay require the services of an Aviation Advisor.1.2.2. Throughout this document, three Parties will be assumed to be involved in the operations: theCompany, i.e. the owner company that commissions the work, the Geophysical Contractor(contractor), i.e. the seismic contractor that executes the survey and the Helicopter Provider, i.e.the company that provides the helicopter and related personnel under a direct contract withCompany or as a sub-contractor to the Contractor.1.2.3. Specific regions, operating roles or special project circumstances may dictate additional safetyrequirements. These additional requirements should be identified and implemented by senior,qualified staff of the Parties to the operations.1.3. Aircraft operation1.3.1. All aircraft operations are to be conducted in strict compliance with all applicable regulations andlegislation.1.3.2. No guidelines or requirements specified in this document are to be construed as authority tooperate aircraft or conduct operations other than in strict compliance with the regulations of thecountry in which an aircraft is registered or operated.1.3.3. When Transport Canada (TC) or either one of the Parties has established more stringentrequirements, those will take precedence, provided the latter are not in conflict with applicableregulations1.4. Safety Management Systems (SMS)Transport Canada requires aircraft operators to have Safety Management Systems. The Oil andGas Industry strongly recommends that Safety Cases be in place, for contracts of a duration ofmore than one year or involving more than 50 flying hours per month The minimum required forany operation is a documented Risk Assessment.In all, SMS is now being introduced in all related aviation operations, but is still in an earlydevelopment stage. It is not within the remit of this document to elaborate on the subject matterand the user is referred to the other documents mentioned below, while it is expected that morewill be developed in due time.http://www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/managementservices/referencecentre/documents/sur/menu.htmOGC IBP | Revision Date: Sept 2009 DRAFT1