Case Study: Helicopter Risk Assessment.
Location: Scotland.
Download: helicopter-risk-assessment.pdf

Brief

Long distance pipelines require regular surveying to confirm that they are not at risk from engineering work, undermining or exposure.

BP's Scottish pipelines used to be surveyed by fixed wing aircraft. However, helicopters offer a number of advantages and a change to helicopters was proposed.

Both low flying helicopters and aircraft are subject to a number of hazards, from power lines and obstacles to low flying military jets.

Solution

IKM Consulting Ltd were approached to carry out a risk assessment to support the use of particular helicopter types for surveys.

 

Outcome

We reviewed historical accidents and statistics and, in collaboration with the pilots and operators, proposed suitable measures to ensure that the risks to observers were both minimised and acceptable.