15. Where a helicopter is used in a geophysical operation, the operator shall ensure that

• (a) the helicopter deck on the vessel or platform from which the operation is conducted is designed, constructed and operated in accordance with the Guidelines Respecting Helicopter Facilities on Ships, TP 4414, published in December 1986 by the Canadian Coast Guard, as amended from time to time; and

• (b) an immersion suit that complies with the Canadian General Standards Board Standard CAN/CGSB-65.17-M88, Helicopter Passenger Transportation Suit System, published in January 1988, as amended from time to time, is worn by every member of the geophysical crew who is on a flight to or from the vessel or platform from which the operation is conducted.

16. Every operator who is conducting a geophysical operation shall ensure that radio communication is maintained with all vessels and platforms in the vicinity of the operation and with a shore-based station.

17. Every operator shall ensure that all equipment and materials that are used during a geophysical operation are handled, operated and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers’ specifications.

18. Every operator who is conducting a geophysical operation shall ensure that every member of the geophysical crew

• (a) wears a suitable personal flotation device at all times when the member is working on deck;

• (b) is equipped with a safety belt and a safety line whenever the member is positioned or working near the cable reel or working on the back deck during periods when there is any possibility of the member falling or being thrown or swept overboard;

• (c) does not work alone on the back deck; and

• (d) wears high visibility clothing.

19. Every operator who is conducting a geophysical operation shall ensure that an evacuation route is set up from each work station and that the route is accessible to every member of the geophysical crew who is working at that station.

• 20. (1) No person shall smoke near a marine recording cable or in any area where inflammable materials or explosives are being used or stored in the course of any geophysical operation.

• (2) Every operator shall post, near the cable and in each area referred to in subsection (1), a sign prohibiting smoking.

• 21. (1) Subject to subsection (2), every operator shall ensure that no member of the geophysical crew is required to work

  • (a) a shift in excess of 12 consecutive hours; or

  • (b) two successive shifts the combined total of which exceeds 12 hours unless that member has had at least 6 consecutive hours of rest between those shifts.

• (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any member of the geophysical crew who is required to work in the case of an emergency.

• 22. (1) Every operator shall ensure that every member of the geophysical crew

  • (a) is familiar with the safety equipment that the member may use, and with the safety procedures that the member may have to carry out during the operation;

  • (b) undergoes the instruction, training and drills necessary to enable the member to cope with both normal operations and emergency situations;

  • (c) is familiar with the Safety Manual for Geophysical Field Operations, 6th edition, 1986, published by the International Association of Geophysical Contractors, as amended from time to time; and

  • (d) has successfully completed

    • (i) a survival course approved by the Chief Safety Officer, and

    • (ii) a helicopter underwater escape course approved by the Chief Safety Officer, where regular changes of geophysical crew by helicopter are planned.

• (2) The Chief Safety Officer shall approve

  • (a) a course referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(i) if the Chief Safety Officer is satisfied that the course will provide an adequate level of knowledge of the hazards and emergencies that are likely to be encountered on a vessel or platform that is engaged in a geophysical operation and of techniques for surviving those hazards and emergencies; and

  • (b) a course referred to in subparagraph (1)(d)(ii) if the Chief Safety Officer is satisfied that the course will provide adequate training in the methods of escaping from a helicopter that is underwater.

• (3) Every operator shall ensure that only those members of the geophysical crew who are trained in the operation and maintenance of the seismic energy source and the components of seismic energy systems will be responsible for their handling and maintenance.