DGUV Information 214-911e - Safe operations of helicopters during aerial work (D...

When transferring work tasks to insured individuals the employer has to take into account, whether the corresponding person is qualified for completing the actual task and is thus able to comply with the provisions and measures of occupational safety and health protection.

The employer must convince himself of the aptitude and reliability of the employees within the framework of the applicable regulations.

While the reliability refers to the personal characteristics of the employees and so cannot always be judged objectively by the employer, the required aptitude refers to objectively technical and, where necessary, also to health evaluation criteria.

The following technical evaluation criteria are applied:

Demands on the qualification of the helicopter pilots

Helicopter pilots must have all the prescribed authorisations according to aviation law.

Requirements for the qualification of the Marshallers

Marshallers must have sufficient knowledge, depending on employer-specific rules, the corresponding work organisation and the respective helicopter assignments, of at least:

• slinging techniques

• Load Lifting Devices

• devices and facilities

• communication (internal and external)

• danger zones

• planned flight activities

• hazards from aircraft

• hazards from operating materials

• handling of fire-fighting facilities

• first aid (initial measures at the site of the accident)

In addition, knowledge of dealing with aircraft fuel is required for work in the field of refueling aircraft, of the actual refueling process including the risks resulting from this.

Demands on first aider in the company

In order to be able to guarantee first aid at every accident in the company, it is the employer's duty to create the personnel and material prerequisites for this.

This includes, in particular, trained or further trained first aider. At least one first aider must be present in every group of insured individuals (from two persons present), i.e. in all operating areas, on all construction and assembly sites and in the case of all external work, so that action can be taken at all times at all work locations. Special conditions apply in the case of over 20 insured individuals present.

First aider must have taken part in a first aid course lasting nine hours and, in addition, complete a further training session in an appropriate period (as a rule every 2 years). This training and further training must be carried out by a body authorised by the German Social Accident Insurance Institution. The costs for this are taken over by the competent German Social Accident Insurance Institution.

Technical demands on Heads of Operations

Only persons, who have sufficient theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience, may be designated by the employer as Heads of Operations. These can be, for example, selected Marshallers. The Head of Operations must be in a position to plan the helicopter assignments, recognise hazards and initiate the required measures as well as work towards the remedying of safety deficits.

Helicopter pilots can also act as Heads of Operations on site, if they meet the technical requirements and in particular:

• only one helicopter is deployed,

• no external loads are transported,

• no hazardous goods are transported and

• no ground organisation is needed.