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Proforma Safety, LLC Proforma PSI…when performance counts. Baggage Carts Blow Off Helidecks In this offshore incident, a helicopter’s rotor wash blew two 125-lb. baggage carts off the helideck as it made its approach. While the carts had been secured to the deck, they broke loose and fell approximately 35 feet to the riser deck below, striking shipping containers before hitting the riser deck. The Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) had inspected the fastening of the carts, which were secured with a 5/16” x 12’ #4 chain (1,900 pound working load), a safety lanyard with double locking eye hook (5,000 lb. vertical pull) and a ½ ton stainless steel, 2 part shackle. Fortunately No personnel were in the vicinity of the impact zone on the riser deck at the time of the incident, so no injuries were incurred, nor damage to operational equipment. A root cause analysis identified several problems associated with the baggage carts; among them, the lack of a formal tie down or verification/inspection procedures. The cart was made of solid material, with no true anchor points visible. The design of the baggage carts had not been reviewed by engineering, so there was no awareness of any potential hazard. The company determined that a proper risk assessment and
engineering review should be conducted before introducing
new equipment to a facility, and proper storage and securing
methods identified.
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