National Wildfire Coordinating Group

Equipment

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Rappel Risk Assessments

Aircraft  |  EquipmentOperations 


System:  Rappel, Equipment

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Common Factors Misuse/mistreatment

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Education, supervision for following equipment use standards. When in doubt about equipment's usage, retire it.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Use of non-standard equipment

Possible

Critical

High

Maintain current equipment standards for rappel equipment, only utilize approved rappelling equipment, random peer inspections.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Improper inspections

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Education, supervision for following equipment inspection standards.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Improper rigging

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Proper training.  Standardization. Maintain currency, proficiency, checks and balances. Place photos of correct model specific rigging on national rappel website.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Inconsistent documentation

Possible

Critical

Extremely High

Education, supervision for following equipment documentation standards, random inspections.  Utilize rap records database.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Not following established procedures/policy

Possible

Critical

High

Peer monitoring, annual base reviews, accountability at all levels for compliance, follow-up of action items. Mandatory attendance of spotters to biennial rappel workshop or rappel academy.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Spotter Tether / Gunner Strap Improper adjustment

Possible

Critical

High

Initial set-up of gunner straps and spotter tethers for specific model aircraft, pre-mission check. Post photos of correct adjustments on national rappel website.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Research and Development Improper use of newly approved equipment or during testing phase

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Education, training, documentation, thorough field testing in multiple platforms and obtain feedback from field users. If one component of the system gets changed, the entire system needs to be re-evaluated.

Unlikely

Catastrophic

High

Cargo Delivery System No standard configuration

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Identify and establish model specific configuration and procedures.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Use of unapproved containers

Possible

Moderate

Medium

Supervisors, managers ensure only approved containers are properly utilized. All approved equipment is posted on the NTDP website.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Improper cargo restraint straps/cargo compartment netting (internal only)

Possible

Critical

High

Establish minimum standard for cargo restraint straps and protective netting.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

 

Download the Word version (docx) of this information and the Risk Assessment Matrix (pdf) to use with the Risk Assessment Worksheet (docx).

 

 

Page Last Modified / Reviewed: 
2021-12-02