Staff exposure to equipment hazards associated with helicopters such as the tail rotor and the main rotor system (helicopter blades). These blades can injure or kill an unaware or uneducated staff member. Hats, loose clothing, gloves etc., can be sucked into the engine air intake fans and cause the helicopter to malfunction and potentially crash.

• Limit access in this area to staff trained in helicopter equipment hazards.
  
  
• Establish safe work practices such as:
  
  
  • Do not administer CPR to patients on transport carts while the carts are under the helicopter blade. This may elevate height of staff member to the extent that staff member could be hit by the helicopter blades.
    
    
  • Properly secure all items such as loose clothing, hats, gloves, scarves, while in the helicopter area.
    
    
  • Avoid the tail rotor area and helicopter blade area.

• 29 CFR 1910.183(g), Helicopters, Materials Handling and Storage. OSHA Standard.
• Certification of airborne medical transport programs is provided by the Commission of Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS).
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governs flight safety guidelines.

Exposure of staff to potential hearing loss, hearing impairment, elevated blood pressure levels and other health hazards from exposure to the loud sounds of the helicopter in operation. Elevated noise levels pose an additional threat to workers if they are unable to communicate or warn each other of potential dangers or occurring situations.

A safety and health program that recognizes and addresses the hazards created by noise exposure.

• OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure Standard requires feasible implementation of administrative and Heliport controls whenever employee noise exposures exceed 90 dBA (8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
  
  
• Some example of Heliport controls to help prevent noise exposure include:

• Provide appropriate equipment to protect the hearing of staff.
  
  
  • Use aviation helmets that include special hearing protection and communication systems to enable staff to communicate through the helmets.

For additional information, see Healthcare Wide Hazards - Noise.

• Occupational Noise Exposure. Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Hearing Conservation. OSHA Publication 3074, (2002). Also availab1e as a 1 MB PDF, 32 pages.
• Guidelines for Noise Enforcement; Appendix A. OSHA Directive CPL 2-2.35A, (1983, December 19).

High winds generated by the helicopter blades can throw loose items or trash etc., at employees and cause them injury.

• Housekeeping. Good housekeeping shall be maintained in all helicopter loading and unloading areas [29 CFR 1910.183(g)].
  
  
  • Keep helipad area free from garbage, litter, or other debris.
    
    
• All items such as loose clothing, hats, gloves, scarves, must be properly secured before entering the helipad area.
  
  
• Use appropriate eye and face protection.

Employee exposure to fueling hazards such as fire or explosions that can occur from sparks or matches in the helipad area.

• No smoking allowed in helipad area.
  
  
• Grounding cable attached to helicopter while fueling to prevent sparks.