Conway G A, Klatt M L, Manwaring J C
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Safety Research, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Int J Circumpolar Health. 1998;57 Suppl 1:518-26.
To reduce the fatality rate in helicopter sling-load logging in Alaska. These operations--on rugged terrain, due to environmental restrictions and economics--are an emerging technology application worldwide. During 1992 and 1993, crashes during these operations in Alaska resulted in multiple fatalities.
During 1992, comprehensive surveillance for these events was established, combining electronic media and interagency notification with active investigation to identify preventable risk factors. These data were applied in mid-1993 by an interagency working group, which included representatives of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Alaska Department of Labor, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation, Safety Board, U.S. Coast Guard, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Forest Service, and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In response to surveillance data, consensus safety recommendations were developed. Working closely with industry, immediate improvements were made in worker training, work/rest cycles, and oversight. Surveillance results are being used to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. On March 1-2, 1995, an international workshop was convened in Ketchikan, Alaska, to involve industry and government agencies in planning for durable prevention in this industry.
In Alaska between January 1, 1992, and June 30, 1993, there were 6 helicopter crashes, with 9 fatal (4 in pilots) and 10 severe nonfatal injuries, out of only 25 helicopters flying in helicopter logging operations. Alaska logging helicopters thus had the extraordinarily high annual crash rate of 16% and a catastrophic pilot fatality rate of 5,000/100,000/year. Investigation revealed that all crashes involved improper operational and/or maintenance practices. Since these recommendations were implemented in July 1993, there have been no additional helicopter logging fatalities in Alaska through 1995. The 1995 meeting resulted in further recommendations, including more vigorous oversight; development of rigorous voluntary industry standards for equipment, maintenance, and training; exclusive use of multi-engine rotocraft; and more vigorous controls on alcohol and drug use in this industry.
降低阿拉斯加直升机吊运伐木作业的死亡率。由于环境限制和经济因素，这些作业在崎岖地形上进行，是一项在全球范围内新兴的技术应用。1992年和1993年期间，阿拉斯加这些作业中的坠机事故导致了多人死亡。
1992年期间，针对这些事件建立了全面监测机制，将电子媒体、跨部门通报与主动调查相结合，以确定可预防的风险因素。1993年年中，一个跨部门工作组应用了这些数据，该工作组包括阿拉斯加卫生与社会服务部、阿拉斯加劳工部、联邦航空管理局、国家运输安全委员会、美国海岸警卫队、职业安全与健康管理局、美国林业局以及国家职业安全与健康研究所的代表。根据监测数据，制定了一致的安全建议。与行业密切合作，立即在工人培训、工作/休息周期和监督方面做出了改进。监测结果正用于评估干预措施的有效性。1995年3月1日至2日，在阿拉斯加凯奇坎召开了一次国际研讨会，让行业和政府机构参与该行业持久预防的规划。
在1992年1月1日至1993年6月30日期间，阿拉斯加有6起直升机坠毁事故，造成9人死亡（4名飞行员）和10人严重非致命伤，而当时参与直升机伐木作业的直升机仅有25架。因此，阿拉斯加伐木直升机的年坠毁率高达16%，飞行员灾难性死亡率为每年5000/10万。调查显示，所有坠机事故都涉及不当的操作和/或维护做法。自1993年7月实施这些建议以来，截至1995年，阿拉斯加没有再发生直升机伐木死亡事故。1995年的会议产生了进一步的建议，包括更严格的监督；制定严格的设备、维护和培训行业自愿标准；只使用多引擎旋翼机；以及对该行业的酒精和药物使用进行更严格的管控。
