Helicopter Lift Operations
Construction · Ver en español
Talking points
- Helicopter lifts are used for rooftop HVAC units, steel erection in remote areas, and power line work. They combine aviation hazards with rigging and struck-by hazards.
- Static electricity builds up on helicopter loads during flight. Ground the load with a grounding device before any worker touches it — direct contact can cause a severe shock.
- Exclusion zones must be established under the flight path and around the landing/pickup zone. No unauthorized personnel within these zones during operations.
- All rigging must be checked by a qualified person before each flight. Loads must be secured with breakaway connections that release if the helicopter encounters an emergency requiring load jettison.
- Communication between the helicopter pilot and the ground crew must be continuous and reliable — typically by radio. Standard hand signals for helicopter operations differ from crane signals.
Ask the crew
If we are involved in a helicopter lift, does everyone understand the exclusion zones and the static grounding procedure?
Standards this talk is built on
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
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Sign-in sheet
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