OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

OPITO
HLO & HDA Standards
Training and Competence
Guidelines

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Table of Contents
Introduction and rationale for change .................................................................................... 3
The HLO ............................................................................................................................... 3
Offshore Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) Training & Competence...................................... 5
HLO Training Prerequisites ................................................................................................... 6
Offshore Helideck Assistant (HDA) Training & Competence ................................................. 7
HDA Training Prerequisites ................................................................................................... 8
Additional Non OPITO Training for HLO and HDA ................................................................ 9
HLO Training Programmes ................................................................................................. 10
HDA Training Programmes ................................................................................................. 11
Appendix 1 -Transition from standards issued pre 15th July 2013 to revised standards issued
post 15th July 2013 .............................................................................................................. 12
Appendix 2 OPITO HLO/HDA FAQs.12-14

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Introduction and Rationale for change
Rationale for Change
The OPITO helideck standards have been revised to reflect the current roles of offshore
helideck operations, It was found that previous standards did not adequately cover industries
current practices, in particular, the role of Helideck Assistant (HDA) and that specific skills
and knowledge required for this role, this document reflects industries expectation of these
two distinct and separate roles namely Offshore Helideck Landing Officer (HLO) and
Offshore Helideck Assistant (HDA).
The HLO role
The Offshore Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the helideck, associated helideck operations and supervision of the Helideck
Assistants (HDAs)
The HLO is responsible for leading the initial response to a helicopter emergency on an
offshore fixed, mobile or floating installation and supervising the HDA Helideck Emergency
Response Team Members (HERTM) in their role as Helideck Emergency Response Team
Leader (HERTL)
The HDA role
The Offshore Helideck Assistants (HDAs) typically carry out routine helideck operations
such as maintenance and testing of helideck systems and equipment. HDAs also assist with
passenger embarkation and disembarkation, as well as transferring freight and passenger
baggage to and from the helicopter.
HDAs will also perform the role of HDA Helideck Emergency Response Team Member
(HERTM) when preparing for helicopter landings and form the initial respond to helicopter
emergencies.
Training and competence assessment of HLOs and HDAs will comprise of demonstrating
both onshore training competence and offshore workplace training and assessment.
Appointment of HLOs and HDAs
The Installation, MODU or vessel Duty Holder is responsible for ensuring that personnel
appointed to the HLO and HDA role have received sufficient training and gained relevant
experience to undertake the role safely.
The Duty Holder must ensure that, apart from the provision of onshore training:
a) Workplace training is provided and workplace competence assessment is conducted
And,

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

b)

Any required statutory, regulatory and company-specific training e.g. Radio Operator,
Dangerous Goods by Air (DGbA), Helideck Re-fuelling etc. is provided for the
HLO/HDA role.

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Offshore Heli-operations Roles
Two Heli-operations roles:
1. Offshore Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO)
2. Offshore Helideck Assistant (HDA)

Offshore Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) Training & Competence

HLO Initial Training* 18hrs duration valid 2 years refreshed by HLO and
HERTL Further training

1
2
3
4

Helideck Emergency Response Team Member Training*

(HERTM) 26 hrs duration valid 2 years refreshed by HDA and HERTM Further
training

Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader Training*

(HERTL) 26 hrs duration valid 2 years refreshed by HLO and HERTL Further
training

HLO Workplace Experience & Competence Assessment

HLO and HERTL Further Training* 12hrs 30mins duration valid 2

5
6

years refreshed by HLO and HERTL Further training every 2 years

HLO Workplace Drills and Competence Reassessment

*OPITO-certified Training

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

HLO Training Prerequisites

HLO Initial Training Prerequisites
No prerequisites for this training course

HLO Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader (HERTL) Training

Prerequisites
Pre-requisite 1
Pre-requisite 2

Delegates must possess all of the following

A valid OPITO HLO Initial Training Certificate
A valid OPITO Helideck Emergency Response Team Member
Certificate

HLO and HERTL Further Training Prerequisites

Pre-requisite 1

Delegates must possess all of the following

A valid OPITO HLO HERTL Training Certificate or valid OPITO HLO
and HERTL Further Training Certificate

Note 1: Personnel that revolve between HLO and HDA roles as required by their
company:
Gaining the HLO and HERTL Further certificate will mean that they dont
have to renew their HDA and HERTM Further Training certificates.
Training Course Duration
HLO Initial Training
Helideck Emergency Response Team Member Training
Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader Training
HLO and HERTL Further Training

18 hrs.
26 hrs.
26 hrs.
12hrs.30min

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Offshore Helideck Assistant (HDA) Training & Competence

HDA Initial Training * 18hrs duration refreshed by HDA and HERTM

Further training

Helideck Emergency Response Team Member

(HERTM) Training* 26 hrs duration valid 2 years refreshed by HDA and
HERTM Further training

HDA Workplace Experience & Competence Assessment

HDA and HERTM Further Training * 12hrs 30mins duration valid 2

years refreshed by HDA and HERTM Further every 2 years

HDA Workplace Drills and Competence Reassessment

*OPITO-certified Training

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

HDA Training Prerequisites

HDA Initial Training Prerequisites

Delegates must possess the following
No prerequisites required for this training course

Pre-requisite 1

HDA Helideck Emergency Response Team Member (HERTM) Training

Prerequisites
Delegates must possess the following
No prerequisites required for this training course

Pre-requisite 1

HDA and HERTM Further Training Prerequisites

Pre-requisite 1

Delegates must possess all of the following

A valid OPITO HDA Helideck Emergency Response Team Member
Training Certificate AND valid HDA Initial certificate
OR
A valid OPITO HAD and HERTM Further Training Certificate

Note 1: It is recommended that the HDA HERTM be completed within two years of obtaining
HDA Initial Training.

Training Course Duration

HDA Initial Training
HDA Helideck Emergency Response Team Member Training
HDA and HERTM Further Training

18 hrs.
26 hrs.
12 hrs. 30min

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Additional Non OPITO Training for HLO and HDA

Examples of Additional Training

1

Radio Communications Competence

Dangerous Goods by Air (DGbA)

Helicopter Refuelling

Others - as geographically required

Note 1: The Duty Holder (or equivalent) is responsible for ensuring that competent persons
are appointed to the Helideck roles and hold the appropriate competencies for safe helideck
operations.
Note 2: Helicopter refuelling is not covered in detail within the OPITO standards. It is
recommended that the HLO and HDA receive the same Helicopter Refuelling training.
Note 3: The Industry Work Group stated their preference for appropriate DGbA classroom
based training to be provided by the Training Provider prior to or after the OPITO HLO/HDA
initial and further training courses, or using Computer Based Training or e-learning.

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

HLO Training Programmes
The HLO Initial Training Programme
Module 1
Element 1.1

Offshore Helideck Regulations and Guidelines

Regulations and guidelines

Module 2
Element 2.1
Element 2.2
Element 2.3
Element 2.4

Helicopter and Helideck Hazards and Management Systems

Offshore helideck landing areas
Helideck equipment and systems
Helicopter and helideck hazards
Helicopter refuelling awareness

Module 3
Element 3.1
Element 3.2
Element 3.3

HLO Responsibilities during Helicopter Landing and Departure

The role and key responsibilities of an HLO
HLO checks, procedures and communications during helicopter operations
Supervise HDAs

Module 4
Element 4.1
Element 4.2

Supervision of Passenger and Cargo Handling

Supervise cargo handling
Supervise passenger handling

Module 5
Element 5.1

HLO: Normally Unattended Installations

HLO responsibilities on an NUI

The HLO Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader (HERTL) Training Programme
Module 1
Element 1.1
Element 1.2

Helideck Emergency Response Preparedness

Helideck emergency response pre-planning
Helideck and helicopter emergency systems and controls

Module 2
Element 2.1

NUI HLO Emergency Response

NUI emergency response requirements

Module 3
Element 3.1
Element 3.2

HLO: Leading and Controlling Helideck Emergency Response

HLO HERTL emergency response responsibilities and requirements
Practical exercises for HLO Emergency Response
The HLO and HERTL Further Training Programme

Module 1
Element 1.1
Element 1.2

HLO and HERTL Further Training

HLO and HERTL further theory training
HLO and HERTL further practical training in emergency response.

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

HDA Training Programmes
The HDA Initial Training Programme
Module 1
Element 1.1

Offshore Helideck Regulations and Guidelines

Regulations and guidelines

Module 2
Element 2.1
Element 2.2
Element 2.3
Element 2.4

Helicopter and Helideck Hazards and Management Systems

Offshore helideck landing areas
Helideck equipment and systems
Helicopter and helideck hazards
Helicopter refuelling awareness

Module 3
Element 3.1
Element 3.2

Preparation for Helideck Operations

The role and responsibilities of the HDA
Preparing for helideck operations

Module 4
Element 4.1
Element 4.2

Assisting with Passenger and Cargo Handling

Cargo handling
Passenger handling

Module 5
Element 5.1

HDA: Normally Unattended Installations

Hazards and HDA duties on an NUI

The Helideck Emergency Response Team Member (HERTM) Training Programme

Module 1
Element 1.1
Element 1.2

Helideck Emergency Response Preparedness

Helideck emergency response pre-planning
Helideck and helicopter emergency systems and controls

Module 2
Element 2.1

NUI HDA Emergency Response

NUI HDA emergency response requirements

Module 3
Element 3.1
Element 3.2

HDA Helideck Emergency Response Team Member (HERTM)

HDA HERTM response in helideck and helicopter emergencies
Practical Exercises for the HDA Emergency Response Team Member
The HDA and HERTM Further Training Programme

Module 1
Element 1.1
Element 1.2

HDA and HERTM Further Training

HDA and HERTM Further theory training
HDA and HERTM Further practical training in emergency response.

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Appendix One - Transition from the old OPITO standards to the revised standards issued 15th July 2013

Undertakes the
Job Role of an
HLO?

No

Undertakes the
job role of an HDA
/ Helideck ERTM?

Yes

NEW HDA?

Yes

Undertake new HDA Initial (code

7019), and subsequently new HERTM
(code 7022)

Yes
No
NEW HLO?

Yes

Undertake new HLO (code 7018),

new HERTM (code 7022) as prerequisite for new HERTL (code 7017),
AND new HERTL (code 7017)

Old OEHTM (code

4710) or OEHTM
Further (code
4751) still valid?

To revalidate HLO and HERTL

certs, undertake new HLO
Further (code 7021) every 2
years

No

To revalidate, undertake HDA

and HERTM Further (code 7024)
every 2 years

Undertake new HERTM (code 7022).

Optional - to take HDA initial prior to
new HERTM.

To revalidate, undertake HDA

and HERTM Further (code 7024)
every 2 years

No
Yes
Old OEHTM (code
4710) or OEHTM
Further (code
4751) still valid?

No

OHLO (Code 7012)

valid?

Yes
Undertake new HERTM (code 7022)
and HLO and HERTL Further prior to
the expiry of the 'old' OHLO (code
7012). Revalidate with HLO and
HERTL Further (code 7029) every 2
years.

Yes

OHLO (Code 7012)

valid?

No

Undertake new HERTL (code 7017)

prior to the expiry of the 'old'
OEHTM / FOEHTM (Codes

No

Further live fire

scenarios training
(code 7016) valid?
(Further HLO)

No

Undertake new HLO (code 7018),

new HERTM (code 7022) as prerequisite for new HERTL (code 7017),
AND new HERTL (code 7017).
Revalidate with HLO and HERTL
Further (code 7029) every 2 years.

Undertake new HDA and HERTM

Further (code 7024) prior to expiry of
current OEHTM or FOEHTM
4710/4751

To revalidate, undertake HDA

and HERTM Further (code 7024)
every 2 years

Yes
Undertake new HLO and HERTL Further
(code 7029) prior to the expiry of the
'old' Further live fire scenarios (code
7016). Revalidate with HLO and HERTL
Further (code 7029) every 2 years.

To revalidate, undertake HLO and

HERTL Further (code 7029) every 2
years

Yes

Further live fire

scenarios training
(code 7016) valid?
(Further HLO)

No

Undertake new HLO HERTL (code 7017)

prior to the expiry of the 'old' OHLO (code
7012). Revalidate with HLO and HERTL
Further (code 7029) every 2 years.

Yes
Undertake new HLO and HERTL Further
(code 7029) prior to the expiry of the
'old' Further live fire scenarios (code
7016). Revalidate with HLO and HERTL
Further (code 7029) every 2 years.

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

Appendix Two - OPITO HLO/HDA Standards Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Helideck Assistant (HDA) Scenarios
1. I am a new HDA who is required to be a member of the Helideck Emergency Response team. What training should I undertake? Complete HDA Initial and
HERTM then revalidate both through HAD and HERTM Further in future
2. I am a new HDA but I will not be required to be a member of the Helideck Emergency Response team. What training should I undertake? Complete HDA
Initial only
3. I am an existing HDA and I hold a valid OEHTM/Further OEHTM. What training should I undertake? Complete HDA and HERTM Further prior to expiry of
OEHTM/Further OEHTM
4. I am an existing HDA but my OEHTM/Further OEHTM has expired. What training should I undertake? Complete HERTM and revalidate through HDA and
HERTM Further in future

Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) Scenarios

5. I am a new HLO and I will be required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. What training should I undertake? Complete HLO Initial
followed by HERTL and revalidate both through HLO and HERTL Further in the future
6. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OHLO and a valid OEHTM/Further OEHTM.
What training should I undertake? Complete HERTL prior to expiry of OEHTM/Further OEHTM and revalidate through HLO and HERTL Further in future
7. I am an existing HLO and Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader with a valid OHLO, OEHTM/Further OEHTM and Further Scenarios. What training
should I undertake? Complete HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of Further Scenarios
8. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OHLO and a valid Further Scenarios but my
OEHTM/Further OEHTM has expired. What training should I undertake? Complete HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of Further Scenarios
9. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid Further Scenarios but my OHLO and
OEHTM/Further OEHTM have expired. What training should I undertake? Complete HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of Further Scenarios
10. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OEHTM/Further OEHTM but my OHLO and
Further Scenarios have expired. What training should I undertake? Complete HLO Initial and subsequently the HERTL prior to expiry of the OEHTM/Further
OEHTM. Revalidate through HLO and HERTL Further in the future.

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OPITO Offshore Heli-operations Role Standards Training Guidelines

11. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OEHTM/Further OEHTM and a valid Further
Scenarios but my OHLO has expired. What training should I undertake? Complete HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of Further Scenarios
12. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OHLO but my OEHTM/Further OEHTM and
Further Scenarios have expired. What training should I undertake? Complete the HERTM and subsequently, the HERTL prior to expiry of the OHLO cert.
Revalidate through HLO and HERTL Further in the future.
13. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. My OHLO, OEHTM/Further OEHTM and Further Scenarios
have all expired. What training should I undertake? Complete the HLO Initial, HERTM, HERTL and revalidate through HLO and HERTL Further in the future.
14. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OHLO but I have never completed OEHTM. What
training should I undertake? Complete HERTM and HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of OHLO
15. I am an existing HLO who is required to be a Helideck Emergency Response Team Leader. I hold a valid OEHTM but my OHLO has expired and I have
never completed Further Scenarios. What training should I undertake? Complete HERTL prior to the expiry of OEHTM and revalidate through HLO and
HERTL Further in the future
Note: Basically, as long as the OHLO Further Scenarios cert is still valid, personnel can refresh their training with HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of the
Further Scenarios.

Combined HDA/HLO Scenarios

16. I am a new entrant who will be required to perform both HDA and HLO roles. What training should I undertake? Complete the HLO Initial, HERTM, HERTL
and revalidate through HLO and HERTL Further in the future.
17. I am an existing worker who is required to perform both HDA and HLO roles. I hold a valid OHLO, OEHTM and Further Scenarios. What training should I
undertake? Complete HLO and HERTL Further prior to expiry of Further Scenarios

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