The Department of Labour is seeking input for a revision of the Trees Code Part 4 - Helicopter Logging Approved Code of Practice. The likely outcome of this review will be to revoke this Code and to incorporate the necessary sections in to the Forestry Operations ACOP (which is also being reviewed). Accordingly we are seeking input and feedback on the current code.

The crewing, maintenance and flight operations of helicopters in the New Zealand forestry/logging industry are regulated by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (NZCAA). In cases where foreign-registered helicopters are used in New Zealand, additional regulatory requirements may be imposed.

In New Zealand, the Department of Labour is the agency that administers the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. This Act applies to workers below the load hook and the safe operation of helicopters with respect to workers on the ground.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Introduction

Section 1: Acknowledgements
Section 2: Notice of issue
Section 3: Foreword
Section 4: Purpose of this code

Part 2: The 1992 Act and 1995 Regulations

Section 1: The Act: An overview
Section 2: The Act: Duties
Section 3: The Act: Definition of serious harm
Section 4: The Regulations: Duties
Section 5: The Regulations: Definitions

Part 3: General Rules

Section 1: Rules for the responsibilities and duties of employers
Section 2: Rules for the responsibilities, rights and duties of employees
Section 3: Rules for health
Section 4: Rules for first aid
Section 5: Rules for clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
Section 6: Rules for safety belts and harnesses for logging
Section 7: Rules for ground-based machinery
Section 8: Rules for portable machinery

Part 4: Rules for Planning

Section 1: Rules for planning
Section 2: Rules for the construction of skids and landings
Section 3: Rules for communication procedures
Section 4: Rules for emergency rescues
Section 5: Rules for visitors

Part 5: Rules for Operations

Section 1: Rules for general safety
Section 2: Rules for rigging and equipment
Section 3: Rules for the integration of ground and flight activities
Section 4: Rules for rotor wash/WARNING
Section 5: Rules for helicopter preparedness
Section 6: Rules for abort crews

Glossary