The FAA is clarifying which fall protection standards should apply to human external cargo (HEC) helicopter operations in a draft revised policy statement. HEC operations include line workers repairing or inspecting powerlines from a hoist line or while standing on skid structures of hovering helicopters or carriage of people via hoist.

According to VAI, “This decision ensures uniformity, enhances safety, and promotes operational compliance with existing local, state, and federal safety rules.”

There were discrepancies between various standards that applied to full-body harnesses used in HEC operations, including FAA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, VAI noted. “These discrepancies created a fragmented operational framework, posing significant compliance challenges for operators and utilities alike.” VAI recommended that the FAA adopt a consensus American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard to address these discrepancies. The new FAA policy will adopt the ANSI standards.

“This policy change is a testament to the importance of collaboration between industry and regulators,” said VAI president and CEO James Viola. “By adopting the ANSI standard, the FAA has not only enhanced safety but also simplified the regulatory landscape for operators and utilities working to maintain our national power grid.”

ANSI standards also will enable “greater innovation in harness design that both meets ANSI specifications and better protects utility line workers,” he explained.