[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 29, Volume 8]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 29CFR1926.551]

[Page 355-357]
 
                             TITLE 29--LABOR
 
CHAPTER XVII--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                                OF LABOR
 
PART 1926_SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION--Table of Contents
 
      Subpart N_Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Elevators, and Conveyors
 
Sec. 1926.551  Helicopters.

    (a) Helicopter regulations. Helicopter cranes shall be expected to 
comply with any applicable regulations of the Federal Aviation 
Administration.
    (b) Briefing. Prior to each day's operation a briefing shall be 
conducted. This briefing shall set forth the plan of operation for the 
pilot and ground personnel.
    (c) Slings and tag lines. Load shall be properly slung. Tag lines 
shall be of a length that will not permit their being drawn up into 
rotors. Pressed sleeve, swedged eyes, or equivalent means shall be used 
for all freely suspended loads to prevent hand splices from spinning 
open or cable clamps from loosening.
    (d) Cargo hooks. All electrically operated cargo hooks shall have 
the electrical activating device so designed and installed as to prevent 
inadvertent operation. In addition, these cargo hooks shall be equipped 
with an emergency mechanical control for releasing the load. The hooks 
shall be tested prior to each day's operation to determine that the 
release functions properly, both electrically and mechanically.
    (e) Personal protective equipment. (1) Personal protective equipment 
for employees receiving the load shall consist of complete eye 
protection and hard hats secured by chinstraps.
    (2) Loose-fitting clothing likely to flap in the downwash, and thus 
be snagged on hoist line, shall not be worn.
    (f) Loose gear and objects. Every practical precaution shall be 
taken to provide for the protection of the employees from flying objects 
in the rotor downwash. All loose gear within 100 feet of the place of 
lifting the load, depositing the load, and all other areas susceptible 
to rotor downwash shall be secured or removed.
    (g) Housekeeping. Good housekeeping shall be maintained in all 
helicopter loading and unloading areas.
    (h) Operator responsibility. The helicopter operator shall be 
responsible for size, weight, and manner in which loads are connected to 
the helicopter. If, for any reason, the helicopter operator believes the 
lift cannot be made safely, the lift shall not be made.
    (i) Hooking and unhooking loads. When employees are required to 
perform work under hovering craft, a safe means of access shall be 
provided for employees to reach the hoist line hook and engage or 
disengage cargo slings. Employees shall not perform work under hovering 
craft except when necessary to hook or unhook loads.
    (j) Static charge. Static charge on the suspended load shall be 
dissipated with a grounding device before ground personnel touch the 
suspended load, or protective rubber gloves shall be worn by all ground 
personnel touching the suspended load.
    (k) Weight limitation. The weight of an external load shall not 
exceed the manufacturer's rating.
    (l) Ground lines. Hoist wires or other gear, except for pulling 
lines or conductors that are allowed to ``pay out'' from a container or 
roll off a reel, shall not be attached to any fixed ground structure, or 
allowed to foul on any fixed structure.
    (m) Visibility. When visibility is reduced by dust or other 
conditions, ground personnel shall exercise special caution to keep 
clear of main and stabilizing rotors. Precautions shall also be taken by 
the employer to eliminate as far as practical reduced visibility.
    (n) Signal systems. Signal systems between aircrew and ground 
personnel shall be understood and checked in advance of hoisting the 
load. This applies to either radio or hand signal systems. Hand signals 
shall be as shown in Figure N-1.

[[Page 356]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TC30OC91.015

    (o) Approach distance. No unauthorized person shall be allowed to 
approach within 50 feet of the helicopter when the rotor blades are 
turning.
    (p) Approaching helicopter. Whenever approaching or leaving a 
helicopter with blades rotating, all employees shall remain in full view 
of the pilot

[[Page 357]]

and keep in a crouched position. Employees shall avoid the area from the 
cockpit or cabin rearward unless authorized by the helicopter operator 
to work there.
    (q) Personnel. Sufficient ground personnel shall be provided when 
required for safe helicopter loading and unloading operations.
    (r) Communications. There shall be constant reliable communication 
between the pilot, and a designated employee of the ground crew who acts 
as a signalman during the period of loading and unloading. This 
signalman shall be distinctly recognizable from other ground personnel.
    (s) Fires. Open fires shall not be permitted in an area that could 
result in such fires being spread by the rotor downwash.