Transcript Helipad Safety

Helipad Safety
Presented by
Flight For Life Colorado
Objectives
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To provide initial and recurrent helipad safety
training for hospital staff.
To familiarize all staff with helicopter
operations on the helipad.
To review helipad safety systems.
To insure that patient loading and off-loading
are performed safely and efficiently.
Who should receive helipad
safety training?
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All hospital staff with a responsibility to
respond to the helipad:
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Patient care staff
Hospital security officers
Plant operations/maintenance staff
All staff should receive initial and annual
refresher training.
Track training on rosters.
Basics of helipad safety
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Remain alert at all times.
Restrict access to those with current
helipad safety training.
Be aware of any changes in helipad
surroundings.
Wait for signal from flight crew to
approach the aircraft.
Always remain in view of the crew.
Daily helipad inspection
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Clear or secure all loose objects.
Remove snow / ice
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Check all navigational aids:
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Windsock, beacon, perimeter and flood lights.
Inspect surrounding area for new hazards:
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Use only non-corrosive ice melter.
Cranes, new construction, birds, etc.
Check fire suppression systems and escapes.
Before the aircraft arrives
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Insure helipad is clear:
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Keep all staff in protected area:
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Rocks, trash, carts, cords.
Debris can injure staff or damage aircraft.
Inside building or behind structures.
Rotor wash can be hazardous.
Secure all loose clothing, caps, scarves, etc.
Implement universal precautions, as
appropriate.
On ground level helipads, restrict pedestrian
and/or vehicle traffic.
Aircraft arrival
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At night, keep flood lights off until aircraft has
landed.
Remain in protected location until helicopter
rotor blades have stopped.
Watch for signal from the flight crew to
approach.
Always walk while on the helipad.
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Use caution when surface is slippery.
Allow flight crew to open and close doors.
Follow flight crew’s instructions during offloading.
“Hot” off-loading
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Comm Center will advise you if Flight For Life
has requested a hot offload (with rotor blades
turning).
Secure all loose clothing, caps, scarves,
stethoscopes.
Use eye and ear protection.
Remain in protected area until signaled to
approach by flight crew.
Allow flight crew to operate all doors.
“Hot” off-loading - cont’d.
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Approach from within view of pilot.
Keep head low when walking under rotor
blades, especially when windy.
Keep hands at shoulder level.
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Avoid lifting anything into rotor blades.
Never go behind cabin area or rear of skids!
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Extreme danger from spinning tail rotor.
Patient off-loading
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Allow flight crew to operate stretcher system.
Position cart in proper position, setting brake.
Wait for signal from flight crew to remove
stretcher.
Watch for tension on IV lines, oxygen tubing,
monitoring cables.
Assist flight crew with patient care, as
needed.
Additional points
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Be familiar with your helipad systems:
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Fire suppression and escape.
Communications.
Lighting.
Request specific training with helicopter
services that frequent your facility.
Flight For Life Colorado
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Eurocopter AS-350 B3 “A-Star”
Single patient, loaded into left side of cabin.
Shut down requires approximately 30-60 sec.
Tail rotor on right side of tail boom.