Idaho Administrative Code
Title IDAPA 24 - Occupational and Professional Licenses, Division of
Rule 24.39.80 - IDAHO MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS AND PRACTICES FOR LOGGING
Subchapter M - HELICOPTER LOGGING
Section 24.39.80.602 - SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Universal Citation: ID Admin Code 24.39.80.602
Current through September 2, 2024
01. Signal Systems.
a. Signal systems between air crew and ground personnel shall be understood and checked before hoisting the load. This applies to either radio or hand signal systems.
b. There shall be constant reliable communication between the pilot and a designated signalman during the period of loading and unloading.
c. The helicopter shall be equipped with a siren to warn workers of hazardous situations.
02. Loading Logs.
a. It shall be the responsibility of the firm, supervisor, or person who is in charge of the actual loading operation to comply with the provisions of these rules applicable to log loading.
b. The helicopter operator shall be responsible for the size, weight and manner in which loads are attached to the helicopter. If, for any reason, the helicopter operator believes the lift cannot be made safely, the lift shall not be made.
c. When employees are required to perform work under hovering aircraft, a safe means of access shall be provided for employees to reach the hoist line hook and engage or disengage cargo slings.
d. Employees shall not work under hovering aircraft except while hooking or unhooking loads.
e. The weight of an external load shall not exceed the manufacturer's rating.
f. The hook-up crew shall not work on slopes below felled and bucked timber when an unsafe situation exists. Culls left, which have a potential of rolling, should be moved to a safe position.
03. Loading and Landing Areas.
a. The minimum dimensions of a drop zone shall be determined by the length of the logs being hauled. All zones shall be at least one and one-half (1 1/2) times as long, and as wide as the length of the average log being harvested.
b. Landing or loading machinery shall be a reasonable distance away from where logs are to be landed.
c. Landing crew shall be in the clear before logs are landed.
d. The approach to the landing shall be clear and long enough to prevent tree tops from being pulled onto the landing.
e. Separate areas shall be designated for landing logs and fueling helicopters.
f. Sufficient ground personnel shall be provided for safe helicopter loading and unloading operations.
g. A clear area shall be maintained in all helicopter loading and unloading areas.
h. Emergency landing areas for injured workers shall be located within a reasonable distance from all working areas.
04. Hooks and Chokers.
a. The electrical activating device of all electrically operated cargo hooks shall be designed and installed to prevent inadvertent operation. In addition, these cargo hooks shall be equipped with an emergency mechanical control for releasing the load.
b. Logs will be laid on the ground and the helicopter completely free of the chokers before workers approach the logs.
c. One (1) end of all the logs in the turn shall be touching the ground and at an angle no greater than forty-five degrees (45°) before the chokers are released.
d. If the load must be lightened, the hook shall be placed on the ground on the uphill side of the turn before the hooker approaches to release the excess logs.
Effective March 31, 2022
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Idaho may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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