Health & Safety

Mauna Loa Helicopters (MLH)recognizes that our environment and our students, faculty, and staff are unique. The most qualified people to prevent an accident in our organization are our own people- from our chiefs to the most junior instructor. We must identify, manage, and mitigate our unique risk environment to as low as reasonably practical. The way MLH will continue to for this is through our active and continues use of our Safety Management System (SMS).

MLH utilizes Arugus International, Inc PRIS ARMOR as our Safety Management System software system. This program ensures the monitoring of our safety reporting, risk management, safety performance indicators, documents storage, evaluations, and internal audits. During their training students are required to emerge themselves into our safety culture here at MLH by utilizing our Flight Risk Analysis Tools, and Ground Risk Analysis Tools.

The success of MLH’s SMS will depend upon our school maintaining an effective (or “JUST”) Safety Culture. “JUST CULTURE” is a culture in which front-line operators and others are not punished for actions, omissions of decisions taken by them which are commensurate with their experience and training, but where gross negligence and willful violations are not tolerated.

Fire Safety Policies, Fire Statistics and Fire Log (Housing Facilities)

Overview

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) was signed into law in 2008 and contains several crucial campus safety components. One of the main provisions of the HEOA is the Campus Fire Safety Right-to-Know Act. This provision calls for all Title IV eligible institutions that participate in Title IV programs, and maintain on-campus student housing facilities, to publish and distribute an annual fire safety report, or notice of the report, to all enrolled students and current employees by October 1 of each year. The report will outline fire safety systems, fire policies, drills, evacuation procedures, and statistics on fires for the 3 most recent calendar years.

Flight School Fire Prevention Program

It is the mission of MLH to provide faculty, staff, student pilots, and visitors with the safest possible environment, free from potential fire hazards. The primary goal of the School’s Fire Prevention Program is to recognize hazardous conditions and take appropriate action before such conditions result in a fire emergency. This goal is accomplished by (1) conducting periodic facilities safety & security audits of the buildings, and (2) increasing the fire safety awareness of employees and students by conducting periodic training on basic fire safety through fire drills.

Fire and life safety features of School buildings shall be in compliance with all applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). The School conducts fire safety inspections of all School buildings. Some buildings may be inspected more frequently as deemed necessary.

Fire Safety Systems

Student housing buildings maintain a smoke alarm system.

Fire Alarm and Evacuation Procedures

Evacuation of student housing is required whenever the smoke alarm activates.
Prior to a fire alarm or fire drill

• Learn the location of the two (2) closest emergency exits.
• Learn the emergency phone number: 911.
• MLH staff can further identify the designated meeting place(s), once outside the building.
• Review emergency evacuation procedures located on the inside of housing.

Proceed to the door of the room and check it for heat with the back of a hand.

• If cool, open the door slowly and check for smoke in the hall. If no smoke, go to the nearest Exit and evacuate the building.
• If hot, or if there is smoke present in the corridor do not open the door: Stay in the room. Pack towels or blankets under the door. Telephone 911 on a cellular phone, if available. Wave a brightly colored item out the window for ease of recognition.
If able to evacuate the room

• Close the door to the room when leaving, do not lock it.
• Proceed to the closest EXIT and evacuate the building.
• Meet at the pre-designated area outside and away from the building for accountability.
• Report absent people that were known to be in the building
• Stay away from the building for reason of personal safety and firefighter accessibility.
• Do not re-enter the building until the fire alarm has been silenced and the Fire Department has granted permission.

Training & Drills

All housing residents and staff receive fire safety training (through fire drills) at the beginning of the calendar year or when deemed necessary after significant life safety system changes. In the event of a fire incident, MLH will coordinate with the Police and Fire Departments in the investigation of each fire incident.

Fire Prevention Policies

To minimize the potential for fires, it is the policy of the School to prohibit open burning and the use of combustible decorations at all times. Open burning, as defined by the School, is any open/exposed flame or combustion that produces heat, light or smoke, and has the potential to cause a fire.

All decorations and ornaments must be of fire resistant or non-combustible material and U.L. rated. They shall not be hung or posted on any fire protection equipment (fire extinguishers, sprinkler heads and piping, smoke detectors, fire alarm pull boxes, etc.), on or near exits, on or near exit or emergency lights, on or near any other protective or operating feature provided by the School, or in any manner that could present a fall or trip hazard, or impede egress. All decorations, ornaments and displays are required to be removed in a timely manner after the event. Decorative lights including Holiday lights, as well as floodlights, extension cords or electrically operated ornaments must also be U.L. rated.

Electric lights or electrically operated ornaments shall not be used on metal, aluminum or any other similar metal, which could induce an electric shock. Only heavy duty extension cords and decorative lights in good condition (free from damage or exposed wiring) shall be used for decorations, must be unplugged at the end of each day, and removed after the event or holiday season.

Extension cords may not be routed under rugs or carpets, through doorways or in any manner that could present a fall or trip hazard, or impede egress. It is the policy of the School that only artificial Holiday trees will be used and shall be of fire retardant or noncombustible material. Indoor trees must be placed out of the way of traffic, not block doorways, exits, exit signs or any of the fire protection equipment, or present a fall or trip hazard that impedes egress. Artificial snow and other decorative sprays should be used with extreme caution; avoid spraying around exits, exit signs or any of the fire protection equipment.

To minimize the potential for fires, it is the policy of the School to prohibit the use of the following items in housing: portable space heaters, hibachis, any open flame device or object including candles, incense sticks and related accessories, hot plates, slow cookers, deep fryers, electric skillets, electric woks, griddles, sandwich makers/grills, toaster ovens, flammable/combustible liquids (for recreational/personal use), fireworks, firecrackers, rockets, flares, sparklers and other devices, halogen lamps, ceiling/wall tapestries, live Holiday trees or non-fire retardant artificial Holiday trees. The use of cooking devices does not apply to areas designated and built for such purposes.

Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act

Federal regulations require each postsecondary institution, which participates in Federal student financial aid programs, to certify to the Secretary of Education that it has a program in effect to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by employees and students. It also requires a distribution of drug- and alcohol related information to employees and students on an annual basis. The following provides students, faculty, and staff with the required information and advises those individuals of their responsibilities under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs

Federal regulations require postsecondary institutions who participate in Federal student financial aid programs have a program in effect to prevent the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol by employees and students, and to distribute drug and alcohol related information to employees and students on an annual basis. Standard of Conduct: MLH employees and students are prohibited from being on campus under the influence of, or in possession of, illicit drugs or alcohol; and are prohibited from engaging in the use or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol as any part of school activities, whether such activities are conducted on or off campus. Students who know of employees or fellow students who violate these standards are encouraged to notify the Chief Flight Instructor or any member of MLH management of such offenses.

Additional information regarding State/Federal Sanctions and assistance agencies is available through Administration. NO student will be permitted in MLH aircraft or facilities while under the influence of alcohol. Students will comply with FAR 91.17 concerning the use of alcohol.

Standard of Conduct

MLH employees and students are prohibited from being on MLH property while under the influence of, or in possession of, illicit drugs or alcohol as any part of MLH activities, whether such activities, are conducted on or off campus. Students who know of employees or fellow students who violate these standards are encouraged to notify MLH management of such offenses.

School Sanctions

Students found in violation of the standards of conduct will have written reports placed in their permanent academic records, will be dismissed from the school, and may be referred to local authorities for prosecution. Parents of “dependent” students will be notified of such violations.

State and Federal Sanctions

Hawaii statutes deem it unlawful for any person to sell, purchase, manufacture, or deliver illicit drugs. Penalties associated with conviction of violations of these statutes include prison terms of up to 30 years with accompanying fines ranging from $1,000 to $500,000. Federal penalties include prison terms up to life and fines of up to $20 million. Property may also be seized. Conviction of driving while under the influence of alcohol can result in a financial burden of paying court costs, lawyer fees, and fines; participation in community services; suspension of driver’s license; higher cost or loss of automobile insurance; and imprisonment. An up to date list of federal drug trafficking penalties (by schedule) can be found online at http://www.justice.gov/dea/agency/penalties.htm

Health Risks

The risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol are numerous and include physical and mental impairment, emotional and psychological deterioration and devastating effects on family and friends. There are obvious risks such as suffering a hangover, being charged with driving under the influence or while intoxicated, and sustaining or causing personal injury. There are a number of less obvious risks associated with alcohol and other drug abuse that students might not realize, including:

In addition, alcohol and other drug abuse puts the user at considerable health risk, which can include nausea, vomiting, cancer, liver damage, elevated blood pressure, psychotic episodes, hallucinations and, in some cases, death. In addition to the risk to the abuser of illicit drugs and alcohol are the risks to fellow classmates, the public and to unborn children.

Assistance

Students who desire additional information or request assistance with a drug or alcohol problem are encouraged to contact MLH for assistance. A link to Hawaii treatment and prevention providers can be found at http://hawaii.gov/health/substance-abuse/prevention-treatment/TreatmentPreventionProviderList2013.pdf

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law

Be advised that a student who is convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance while enrolled in an institution of higher education and receiving any federal financial aid (e.g. grant, loan, or work assistance) will lose his/her eligibility for such federal assistance according to the following schedule: If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:

First Offense: 1 year
Second Offense: 2 years
Third Offense: Indefinite

If convicted of an offense involving the sale of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:

Vaccination Policy

MLH does not require proof of vaccination to attend.

Campus Security Report

Mauna Loa Helicopters’ Campus Security Report is sent out every October of the year, it is emailed to all currently enrolled students. A hard copy of the Campus Security Report is located in each main office in Honolulu and Kona. You may also review the current Campus Security Report here.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact one of our Student Liaisons or General Manager.

COVID-19 INFORMATION

The well being of our students, staff, and faculty is our school’s highest priority. With that, MLH has assessed COVID-19 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement policies, procedures, as we develop plans to keep our MLH community healthy and safe. We will continue to monitor government directives regarding COVID-19 and are in consultation with government and accrediting bodies.

**This information is subject to change at any time, bases on updated state or federal guideline.

In school policies:

Student, faculty, and staff are required to wear face covering when enclosed offices/classrooms. All guests, students, staff, and faculty must use hand sanitizer when entering the offices. Wellness checks will be required of all students, faculty and visitors when entering the base. Classroom and aircraft are cleaned after each use each day. Main office is sanitized daily between odd hour blocks. No more than 10 students may gather in one area, all student in person gatherings have been put on hold until further notice.

Faculty and staff are to require to stay home if not feeling well. Students are asked to not come on campus if not feeling well also.

Notification:

Please notify your school if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.COVID-19 INFORMATION

The well being of our students, staff, and faculty is our school’s highest priority. With that, MLH has assessed COVID-19 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to implement policies, procedures, as we develop plans to keep our MLH community healthy and safe. We will continue to monitor government directives regarding COVID-19 and are in consultation with government and accrediting bodies.

**This information is subject to change at any time, bases on updated state or federal guideline.

In school policies:

Student, faculty, and staff are required to wear face covering when enclosed offices/classrooms. All guests, students, staff, and faculty must use hand sanitizer when entering the offices. Wellness checks will be required of all students, faculty and visitors when entering the base. Classroom and aircraft are cleaned after each use each day. Main office is sanitized daily between odd hour blocks. No more than 10 students may gather in one area, all student in person gatherings have been put on hold until further notice.

Faculty and staff are to require to stay home if not feeling well. Students are asked to not come on campus if not feeling well also.

Notification:

Please notify your school if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Travel:

Currently the state of Hawaii has a 14-day mandated quarantine for all incoming travelers to the state of Hawaii. Students will have to quarantine for 14-day, if you are training at the Kona Base reach we have student housing available to accommodate this mandate. This is subject to change as of October 15th.

Covid-19 Resource Sites:

Center for Disease Control and Prevention - https://www.cdc.gov/

Hawaii Sate Department of Health - https://health.hawaii.gov/

World Health Organization – www.who.int