IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
OSH discussion forum
»
Winches for Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopters
Rank: Forum user 
|
Good day all,
A question. Does LOLER reg 9 apply to winches installed on SAR aircraft / Aviation? Winches are standard equipment used to lower operatives to vessels, water and to land normally to facilitate rescue of people in water and challenging terrain / conditions generally by lifting the IP back onto the aircraft via the winch hoist, then onto hospital A&E for treatment etc. Winches are subject to regualar aircraft inspections by aviation approved engineers, however these do not totally align with LOLER. I asked as part of an audit about a TE under Reg 9, which attracted blank expressions. I can find no exemption for commercial aviation (this is not military), therefore LOLER should apply or am I missing the obvious!?
Thanks in advance
Barry
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user 
|
From my somewhat limited knowledge having dealt with aircraft just the once, LOLER in my opinion still applies (as does PUWER). I'd expect to see the winch TE every 6 months if not more often given what it's used for and the conditions of use. Given the CAA published CAP 426 - Helicopter External Load Operations - and made reference to LOLER even when not lifting individuals; I think you're right with the winch, irrespective of what its on, having to comply with LOLER.
|
 1 user thanked JayPownall for this useful post.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
No LOLER does not apply to aircraft of any type. I suspect they were mentioned in the CAP documents by way of example. Any aircraft must be maintained in accordance with CAA requirements air worthiness who work with/apply the EASA (European Air Safety Agency) standards LOLER applies where the HASWA applies - HASWA does not apply to aircraft/flight operations, therefore LOLER does not apply. As part of the EASA standards the aircraft manufacturer will have a maintenance and servicing schedule for aircraft they make.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Forum user
|
Thanks Ian,
EASA /CAW was discussed, however I understand that SAR is a UK government only activity, not regulated under EU law. Therefore the CAA have primacy and they do refer to HSE law within CAPs e.g CAP642. EASA is referred to as a default standard for a UK SAR AOC, but not technically the statute (for SAR) I've checked inspections done under CAWwith a 6 monthly TE under LOLER and CAW appears less prescriptive.
Some more checking required, but thanks for your view, which makes total sense. I wonder if the client should be looking to gap analysis the CAW inspection/checking process with Reg 9 and update the CAMO as appropriate?
Barry
No LOLER does not apply to aircraft of any type. I suspect they were mentioned in the CAP documents by way of example.
Any aircraft must be maintained in accordance with CAA requirements air worthiness who work with/apply the EASA (European Air Safety Agency) standards LOLER applies where the HASWA applies - HASWA does not apply to aircraft/flight operations, therefore LOLER does not apply. As part of the EASA standards the aircraft manufacturer will have a maintenance and servicing schedule for aircraft they make.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Super forum user
|
Aircraft maintenance is not mentioned in any of the LOLER HSE guides/ACOP - lots of other examples of how LOLER is applied. If LOLER applied to aircraft of any type don't you think the HSE ACOP would mention aircraft examples.
Its some time now - but I was an aircraft engineer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
IOSH forums home
»
Our public forums
»
OSH discussion forum
»
Winches for Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopters
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.