Helipad Safety

1
Helipad Safety

• Presented by
• Flight For Life Colorado

2
Objectives

• 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.

3
Who should receive helipad safety training?

• All hospital staff with a responsibility to
  respond to the helipad
• Patient care staff
• Hospital security officers
• Plant operations/maintenance staff
• All staff should receive initial and annual
  refresher training.
• Track training on rosters.

4
Basics of helipad safety

• 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.

5
Daily helipad inspection

• Clear or secure all loose objects.
• Remove snow / ice
• Use only non-corrosive ice melter.
• Check all navigational aids
• Windsock, beacon, perimeter and flood lights.
• Inspect surrounding area for new hazards
• Cranes, new construction, birds, etc.
• Check fire suppression systems and escapes.

6
Before the aircraft arrives

• Insure helipad is clear
• Rocks, trash, carts, cords.
• Debris can injure staff or damage aircraft.
• Keep all staff in protected area
• 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.

7
Aircraft arrival

• 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.
• Use caution when surface is slippery.
• Allow flight crew to open and close doors.
• Follow flight crews instructions during
  off-loading.

8
Hot off-loading

• 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.

9
Hot off-loading - contd.

• Approach from within view of pilot.
• Keep head low when walking under rotor blades,
  especially when windy.
• Keep hands at shoulder level.
• Avoid lifting anything into rotor blades.
• Never go behind cabin area or rear of skids!
• Extreme danger from spinning tail rotor.

10
Patient off-loading

• 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.

11
Additional points

• Be familiar with your helipad systems
• Fire suppression and escape.
• Communications.
• Lighting.
• Request specific training with helicopter
  services that frequent your facility.

12
Flight For Life Colorado

• 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.