3351 Manual handling and ergonomic guidance sheet no.7: Manual handling on and around the helideck

Overview:

This document is freely available to all registered users of this site.

The EI has created a set of 12 good practice guidance sheets for typical manual handling and ergonomic tasks in offshore energy industries. This guidance sheet focuses covers managing factors that influence the way manual handling tasks are performed.

These factors may result from the job design, individual differences or the organisational pressure. Optimising the performance influencing factors will improve the efficiency of the work done and reduce the risk of errors and injuries. This sheet provides guidance for managers and supervisors on how to identify and manage these factors, as well as information for individuals to consider.

These 12 guidance sheets are designed to assist managers and supervisors to tackle hazards and reduce risks that are currently leading to reportable, lost time injuries offshore, and encourage an ergonomic approach to managing risks associated with manual tasks and recorded injuries.

The guidance sheets are grouped into three categories based on the information they cover:

*            management guidance (RED);

*            tasks (GREEN), and

*            injury prevention case studies (BLUE).

Each sheet can be read on its own, but is best read in conjunction with other relevant sheets – which are suggested at the bottom of each sheet.

What this sheet covers

Management of the MH risks on the helideck, considering the items handled, postures adopted and effects of the surface non-slip system. Unloading / loading, re-fuelling and fire-fighting tasks are included in the guidance.

Defining the problem

Helideck hazards are significant so incidental tasks like MH may be seen as lower risk. However, significant musculoskeletal loading can arise from handling baggage, hoses and other equipment while hurrying to get off the deck, or working in a stooped posture to avoid the rotors or their downdraft.