The issue with hand rails around the helideck is a bit of a paradox from my point of view in that we need to assure there are as few hazards raised above the deck as possible, while providing safe access to and from the deck for the people entering or exiting the helideck.

Take the case of a landing in marginal conditions or under particular wind direction conditions with the Helo having to take emergency actions to get off the deck sideways or even ditching. The obstruction of a misplaced handrail or over obtrusive handrail may cause an already difficult and dangerous operation to turn into a disaster and hence the need to be very wary of placing unnessasary protrusions above the deck line.

On a number of rigs and platforms I have been on, the foldaway handrail mentioned by Rob, that also acts as a barrier to inappropriate access to the helideck is a substantial improvement to the complete lack of one. The pictures Browndog posted are an example where these rails on the outboard side of the access stair are a fair attempt, but less than ideal, as they are fixed in position and if they were able to be folded down accross the access stairs I believe that would be a significant improvement.

The other issue that I think should be considered is the best placement of Helo landing crews after successful landing of the Helo, to guide people away from the hazards towards the access and now upright handrails to ensure there are no lost souls falling down the stairs. Most installations are doing this well and take great care to ensure that people accessing or egressing helicopters on offshore helidecks are guided away from the hazards, and if there are particular hazards on your helideck that are unusual or difficult to manage then these issues need to be raised in the compulsary helicopter breifing sessions in addition to the standard Helo operators safety briefing.

Live long and strong, keep safety first in your mind.

Rick