WMAC – Risk Assessment – Pukerua Bay

RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE

SECTION 1

Name of Model Flying Club Wellington Model Aeroplane Club Inc.
Name and Location of Model Flying Site
Site Owner’s name
Does the club hold a formal lease defining use of site and term of tenancy?
Is model flying at this site an approved activity in terms of the local Council’s District Plan? N/A
Does the club have Resource Consent for flying of model aircraft at this site? Not Required
Assessor’s name (1)
Position in Club
Assessor’s Signature
Assessor’s Name (2)
Position in Club
Assessor’s Signature
Risk assessment checked and authorised by Club Committee on 28/10/15.
Review of Assessment due on 28/8/17

(Unless circumstances relating to operation change, a period not exceeding 24 months is suggested)

SECTION 2

SUBJECT ASSESSED The operation of radio controlled model aircraft at the site specified above.

SECTION 3

Is/Are the Assessor(s) familiar with the requirements of: – Yes No
CAA Rule 101?
MFNZ Policy documents and Manuals?
NZJMA Turbine Code of Practice?
This Club’s Safety Rules and Regulations?

SECTION 4 – SITE SPECIFIC RISKS

Record details of individuals, organisations, vehicles, buildings and anything else other than club members and bona fide visitors that could be placed at risk by Club operations

SECTION 5 – HAZARDS REGISTER

Date Hazard
28/10/15 Lipo – Batteries
28/10/15 Model aircraft fuel
28/10/15 Dry Grass (Summer)

RISK ASSESSMENT OF BEFORE AND AFTER CONTROL MEASURES

GROUP A RISKS – ENVIRONMENTAL

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Use of Airspace relative to: –
· Full sized aircraft
· Other club members aircraft
· Visibility – height
· Visibility – sun blindness
· Spectators close to runway
.
.
1
5
1
2
2
.
.
1
1
1
2
1
.
.
1
5
1
4
2
Control Measures:
· CAA approval held to 400ft. AGL
· No full size aircraft transition the airspace.
· No more than fifteen model aircraft flying at any one time.
· Flight envelope to the East of runway avoids sun problems
· Defined spectator area 30 metres from runway
· Observers for each pilot when large scale and jet aircraft being flown
Residual
.
1
1
1
1
1
1
Residual
.
1
1
4
1
1
1
Residual
.
1
1
4
1
1
1
Details of Hazard:
Airfield runway 140 metres, aligned N/ S
1 2 2
Control Measures:
Club safety rules defining: –
· use of runway
· approach
· speed limitation on aircraft going past pilot box
· flight envelope
· positioning of pilots’ box to facilitate communication between pilots.
Residual
.
1
4
1
3
1
Residual
.
1
1
1
1
1
Residual
.
1
4
1
3
1
Details of Hazard:
Fire hazard due to surrounding trees and scrub-land
3 2 6
Control Measures:
· Dry Powder fire extinguisher located in club house.
· Access paths cut through scrub to enable area to be accessed.
· All jet pilots are required to have personal CO² fire extinguishers.
1
N/A
1
1
N/A
1
1
N/A
1
Details of Hazard:
Fire Hazard due to dry grass on airfield.
2 1 2
Control Measures:
· Runways are mowed at least once a week to a low level.
· Infield and surrounding area grass height is maintained at less than 30cm by regular mowing.
1
1
1
2
1
2
Details of Hazard:
Radio Spectrum issues causing loss of control of aircraft being flown.
3 1 3
Control Measures:
· Strict use of MFNZ approved frequencies.
· Most pilots use 2.4 GHz frequency hopping spread spectrum transmitters and receivers.
1
1
1
1
1
1
Details of Hazard:
Meteorology – poor visibility and adverse wind direction.
3 2 6
Control Measures:
· Weather minimum 3 km visibility (CAA Reg 101)
· Jet aircraft – more than 8kts cross-wind, flying to be assessed. 10 kts cross-wind, flying to halt.
3
3
1
1
3
3

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – ENVIRONMENTAL

Details of Hazard:

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:

Operating Prison

4 1 4
Control Measures:

Fly with in approved flight envelope

Residual
.
1
Residual
.
1
Residual
.
1
Details of Hazard:

Batteries / Model aircraft fuel explosion

3 1 3
Control Measures:

Fire Extinguisher handy

First aid kit in Club Hut

Buckets of Sand

Residual
.
2
Residual
.
1
Residual
.
2
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual
.
Residual
.
Residual
.
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual

GROUP A RISKS – MECHANICAL

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Radio control system – failure of aircraft communication system.
3 2 6
Control Measures:
Transmitter “Range Check” for every model being flown prior to first flight each day.
Details of Hazard:
Receiver battery failure.
3 2 6
Control Measures:
· Pilots self-regulatory check of battery voltage prior to first flight each day.
Details of Hazard:
LIPO battery fire due to aircraft crash, battery failure or incorrect charging procedures.
3 2 6
Control Measures:
· All LIPO batteries are charged on the ground away from vehicles and club buildings.
· Fire is of limited duration (approximately 30 seconds) and contained within small area surrounding the battery.
· Club maintains a bucket of sand in the pits area with which to smother the battery.
· Members encouraged to use fire proof bags when charging LIPO batteries.
Details of Hazard:
Collision of model aircraft being flown at the same time.
2 2 4
Control Measures:
· No more than three aircraft in the air at any one time.
· Observers required when flying large scale and jet models.
· All aircraft are flown in common circuit direction.

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – MECHANICAL

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual

GROUP A RISKS – HUMAN

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:
Pilot qualification – control of aircraft
3 2 6
Control Measures:
· All pilots current MFNZ members and covered by MFNZ insurance.
· Only pilots with MFNZ “Wings” badge appropriate to type of aircraft being flown.
· Other pilots must have an observer with MFNZ “Wings” badge appropriate to type of aircraft being flown.
Details of Hazard:
Operational Limitations – operating within approved flight envelope and geographical limits.
3 1 3
Control Measures:
· Briefing of new club members and bona fide visitors on flight envelope.
· No turns towards the pits or spectators.
· All flying down the strip and within flight envelope.
Details of Hazard:
Pilot awareness/co-ordination – loss of awareness of operating environment.
3 2 6
Control Measures:
· All pilots to be in Pilots’ Box to facilitate communication.
· Large Scale models and Jets to have observer to inform pilot of proximity of other aircraft and other hazards.

GROUP B SITE SPECIFIC RISKS – HUMAN

Identity of Hazard Severity Frequency Risk Factor (S x F)
Details of Hazard:

Members Cars

3 2 6
Control Measures:

Park in designated car park area’s

Residual
.
2
Residual
.
1
Residual
.
2
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual
Details of Hazard:
Control Measures: Residual Residual Residual