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Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016) |
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Title 296. Labor and Industries, Department of |
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Chapter 296-45. Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution. |
Section 296-45-67536. Helicopter work tasks.
Latest version.
- (1) Aerial hover transfer.(a) Full body harnesses, lanyards, hardware, and attachment points must meet the requirements in ANSI Z359.1-2007.(b) Any employees transferring from a helicopter to a structure/conductor must wear a full body harness and lanyard fixed to an approved attachment point on the helicopter, structure/conductor. An ANSI-approved device that allows the worker to be attached simultaneously to the helicopter and the structure/conductor shall be used until the transfer is complete.(c) Fall protection must be established and maintained one hundred percent during the entire time the employee is transferring from the helicopter to the structure/conductor.(2) Human external cargo (HEC).(a) The sling/vertical suspension system (human external cargo or HEC) is a vertical system suspended from the helicopter cargo hook. The sling system will comply with all governmental requirements (e.g., 14 C.F.R. Part 133, Class B or D – External Load.) For Class D operations the sling system will also comply with 14 C.F.R. 27.865 or 29.865.(b) Helicopter operations involving HEC shall incorporate the use of a secondary safety device, in addition to the helicopter's primary attachment means, to prevent the inadvertent release of the load. This device shall remain jettison-able in accordance with Class B load requirements.(i) All lines utilized for HEC operations shall be dedicated for HEC and shall not be used for transporting cargo.(ii) HEC lines shall not be less than 10:1 safety ratio between the rated breaking strength and the working load.(iii) All harnesses utilized for helicopter short-haul operations must meet the ANSI Z359.1-2007 standards for class III (full body) harnesses and must be equipped with both dorsal and sternal D rings.(iv) All suspension harnesses used for HEC must be adjusted to the user. The harness must be designed to prevent suspension trauma or equipped with an orthostatic shock relief device. Such devices must be deployed and used if an employee has been in suspension longer than five minutes.(c) External platform and skid operation. If a platform system is used to transport crews or where a crew member performs work from the platform system and all aircraft attachment points shall comply with applicable FAA regulations and requirements. All platform operations shall be conducted in accordance with the 14 C.F.R. Part 133, Class A – External Load. Flight and hovering capabilities of the helicopter must not be adversely affected by the design of the platform. The platform must not affect the auto rotation and emergency capabilities of the helicopter. The platform and loads may affect the lateral and longitudinal CG weight and balance of the helicopter in flight. An engineered counter-balance system must be used if the platform exceeds the lateral CG limits of the manufacturer's specifications for the helicopter which will ensure stability.(3) External cargo sling loads. Helicopter longline support operations (cargo operations) shall only be performed by qualified, competent and trained personnel. All operations shall be conducted in accordance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations.