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B.C. Reg. 296/97 |
Deposited September 8, 1997 |
| This archived regulation consolidation is current to August 1, 2003 and includes changes enacted and in force by that date. For the most current information, click here. |
Workers Compensation Act
[includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 234/2002]
Part 29 — Aircraft Operations
| RETURNTO GENERAL TABLE OF CONTENTS |
29.1 In this Part:
"helipad" means a temporary structure, not designed for permanent use, built on the ground to enable a helicopter to land safely;
"heliport" means a permanent, hardened landing site, laid out in accordance with the applicable requirements of Transport Canada;
"helispot" means a clearing in which a helicopter can land safely.
29.2 This Part applies to the use of aircraft in the workplace.
29.3 The employer must
(a) provide written safe work procedures for workers who are exposed to hazards from aircraft operations,
(b) ensure that workers are provided with adequate pre-job instruction and that the instruction is documented, and
(c) ensure that workers can demonstrate the ability to safely perform their tasks as required.
29.4 If it will be necessary to emplane or deplane a worker while an aircraft is in flight, or to carry a worker outside the aircraft, the employer must ensure that written safe work procedures have been developed which conform to Transport Canada requirements.
29.5 (1) The employer must ensure that effective communication between air and ground crews has been established before initiating airlift operations.
(2) If hand signals are used to communicate between air and ground crews
(a) only internationally recognized hand signals may be used,
(b) the designated signaller must be identified to the pilot in command by means of high visibility apparel and position, and
(c) all workers exposed to hazards from the airlifting operation must know and understand the hand signals.
29.6 (1) Landing areas and assembly sites must be located at a safe distance from trees, poles, power lines and other obstructions, and if the area or site is exposed to rotor or propeller wash the employer must ensure that all equipment, material and debris is secured against dislodgment and that all perimeter hazards are controlled.
(2) Heliports must be constructed using established engineering principles.
(3) Private heliports must have the maximum load capacity of the heliport marked or displayed so that it is visible to the pilot on approach to the heliport.
(4) Helipads must be constructed to accommodate the type of aircraft being used.
(5) The pilot in command must assess a helispot for safe access and egress for workers before it is used.
29.7 (1) Except as provided in subsections (2) to (4), rigging used to suspend loads from aircraft must meet the requirements of Part 15 (Rigging).
(2) The length of sling legs must be such that no sling leg makes an angle from the vertical greater than 45°.
(3) The breaking strength of each leg of a sling used to suspend a load from an aircraft must be
(a) for a single leg sling — 5 times the suspended load,
(b) for a two-leg sling — 3.8 times the suspended load,
(c) for a three-leg sling — 2.6 times the suspended load, and
(d) for a four-leg sling — 2 times the suspended load.
(4) The length and construction of taglines must prevent their being drawn up into the aircraft's rotors.
29.8 Operations creating hazardous conditions to users of navigable air must file or register suitable notice with the appropriate agency before commencing activities.
29.9 (1) The employer must ensure that airlifted loads are not flown over workers.
(2) Workers must remain clear and in recognized safe areas when there is a hazard from airlifted loads.
29.10 The employer must ensure that effective traffic control measures are employed as required by Part 18 (Traffic Control) wherever airlifted loads will be flown over travelled roadways.
29.11 The employer must ensure that helicopter rotorwash will not expose workers to undue risk.
29.12 The employer must ensure that work areas are planned and maintained to avoid placing workers in hazardous proximity to unstable materials.
29.13 Changes to the flight paths of aircraft carrying suspended loads must be immediately communicated to all affected workers.
29.14 (1) Loads must be stabilized and stationary before manually releasing load hooks.
(2) Air and ground crew communications must be initiated before and after manual load hook release.
29.15 The weight of external loads carried by aircraft must not exceed the aircraft manufacturer's applicable load rating.
29.16 (1) The owner, or the person engaged by the owner to be the prime contractor, must give notice to the board at least 2 weeks before commencing any operation involving aerial transport of logs or other products made of wood.
(2) The notice must provide the
(a) name of the principal contractor and of the person responsible for the operation,
(b) location, scheduled start date and expected duration of the operation, and
(c) type of logging activity to be done.
[am. B.C. Reg. 185/99, s. 74.]
29.17 The employer must assign a person on site the responsibility for supervising and coordinating airlift operations.
29.18 (1) Before loads are lifted by yarding aircraft
(a) all workers must be in a safe position,
(b) ground workers must give an "all clear" signal to the identified aircraft, and
(c) pilots must acknowledge the "all clear" signal.
(2) Yarding aircraft must be equipped with a siren or penetrator for emergency warning.
29.19 Landing drop zones must be constructed, arranged and maintained to ensure that loads can be safely landed without endangering landing crews.
29.20 (1) Log loading areas must be separate from drop zones.
(2) Before accessing loading and drop zone areas, workers must communicate their intentions to aircraft and equipment operators, and get an "all clear" signal to proceed from the operators.
29.21 (1) If practicable, aircraft engines must be stopped while pesticides are being loaded into the aircraft.
(2) A pilot must not mix or load pesticides.
(3) The pilot must be protected from any exposure to pesticides during loading operations by
(a) use of a properly functioning closed loading system,
(b) maintenance of a safe distance between the pilot and the loading operation, or
(c) other equally effective means.
29.22 Flexible hoses carrying pesticides under pressure and passing through the cockpit of the aircraft must be effectively shielded and restrained to protect the pilot in the event of hose failure.
29.23 (1) When applying pesticides by aircraft, a pilot must wear respiratory protection and protective clothing appropriate for the pesticide being applied unless the aircraft cockpit has been sealed and has a ventilation system which prevents the entry of pesticide into the cockpit.
(2) A flagperson who may be exposed to pesticide spray or drift must wear protective clothing covering the head, body, hands and feet, and a respirator appropriate for the pesticide being applied.
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