Note: | Load shape, orientation, and packaging. Load shapes can affect in-flight handling. Loads can be marked with their required orientation by using north or other marks to match mark to laydown locations. Remove loose sheeting, tarps, or other wrappings. Loose material can blow around, injure employees, and damage the aircraft if drawn into engine intakes or rotor blades. |
(19) Static charge/discharge. The suspended load must be dissipated with an insulated grounding device before any construction personnel touch the suspended load, or protective rubber gloves must be worn by all ground personnel touching the suspended load.
Notes: | 1. A static charge can develop on any suspended external sling load. The amount of static electricity that may be present prior to discharging is directly related to the temperature, humidity, altitude and time the load is suspended and/or flown during the external sling load operation. |
| 2. The load may be equipped with a weighted grounding conductor slung below the load to discharge the static current if the pilot approves this method of discharge. |
(20) Approach distance. No unauthorized person shall be allowed to approach within one hundred feet of the helicopter when the rotor blades are turning.
(21) Approaching a running helicopter.
(a) When approaching or exiting a helicopter with blades rotating, all employees must remain in full position with arms and hands kept low.
(b) Employees must avoid the area from the cockpit or cabin rearward unless authorized by the helicopter operator to work there.
(c) Personnel must not approach the area of the tail rotor at any time.
(22) Communications.
(a) There must be constant reliable communication between the pilot, competent rigger and a designated employee of the ground crew who acts as a signalman during the period of loading and unloading.
(b) The signalman must be distinctly recognizable from other ground personnel.
(23) Personnel training. The personnel performing the work must be trained in advance of any helicopter external sling load operation in all facets of the operation. This training can be accomplished in the prelift briefing. Employees must be made aware of the following:
(a) Static and discharge procedures;
(b) Wind/downwash characteristics;
(c) Noise;
(d) Fall protection to release hook;
(e) Tagline parameters;
(f) Flying objects due to wind;
(g) PPE requirements;
(h) Rigging connections;
(i) Communication/signaling;
(j) Emergency planning.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050, and
49.17.060. WSR 20-20-109, § 296-32-24034, filed 10/6/20, effective 11/6/20. Statutory Authority: RCW
49.17.010,
49.17.040,
49.17.050,
49.17.060, and chapter
49.17 RCW. WSR 17-20-069, § 296-32-24034, filed 10/2/17, effective 1/1/18.]