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 crew’s 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 - cont’d. • 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.