Airside healthand safetyinductionKeeping you safe airside

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Welcome to the airportairside safety inductionbookletThe objective of this safety induction is to explainthe general safety requirements placed on all thosewho undertake work airside and to raise awarenessof specific safety issues.

The booklet will explain the basic safety informationwhen working in an airside environment. Thebooklet is not intended to cover all of your dutieson the airfield – you will need specific training fromyour own company or department for this.

By the end of this booklet, you will:- understand the key facts on airport safety- understand the hazards and risks that areinvolved in an airside environment

- recognise the control measures that are in placeto safeguard against these.

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LegislationAll activities which take place within aviation aregoverned by various types of legislation. For moreinformation contact your employer or your visitsponsor. There are also local rules and regulationsspecifically relevant to airports. These may vary fromairport to airport, so make sure you are awarewhat’s relevant to your airport.

These include:- Airport Bylaws- Aerodrome Manual and Safety ManagementSystems (SMS)

- CAP642, CAP168- Operational Advice Notices (OAN)- Operational Safety Instructions (OSI)

If in doubt about any policies or procedures,contact Airport Operations and remember that allof these regulations, rules and procedures are therefor your safety and the safety of others. This is whywe have to comply – if you break the rules, youmay be liable to prosecution.

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Definitions

Apron (more commonly called the ramp) This is the part of the airport which is provided forthe stationing of aircraft, for the embarkation anddisembarkation of passengers, the loading andunloading of cargo, and for the parking of aircraft.

Manoeuvring areaThis is the part of the airport designed for the take-off, landing and surface movement of aircraft, butexcludes the apron and any part of the airportwhich is designed for the maintenance of aircraft.

Before you can understand the rules andregulations that apply airside at an airport, youmust first understand the definitions used todescribe the different areas.

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Movement areaThis is the part of an airport provided for thesurface movement of aircraft, including the apron,the manoeuvring area, and any part of the airportset aside for the maintenance of aircraft.

AirsideThis is the part of the airport from whichunrestricted access is available to the aircraftmovement area and from which unauthorisedpersonnel are excluded for safety reasons.

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Aircraft maintenance areaThis is the part of the airport used for maintainingaircraft, including the hangar area and themaintenance taxiway.

The critical partThis is the zone to which access is restricted forsecurity reasons. The zone is limited to those whoare authorised as having a business need to haveaccess and who have passed through a DFTapproved security check. Goods, aircraft andvehicles which enter this area must also passthrough a DFT security check.

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The airside area is a restricted area. Only holders ofvalid ID are allowed in airside areas and then onlyafter passing an airport security check. You mustpass through a metal detector and all metal objects,bags and coats must be x-rayed. Once you are in anairside area you must have the relevant ID card forthat area, it must be on your person at all times,clearly visible and worn at chest height.You shouldchallenge anyone regardless of their role if they arenot displaying a valid ID card.

Any breaches of security must be reportedimmediately.

Security

Smoking is not permitted in any airportbuilding or airside, unless a designated area isprovided. Mobile phones must not be usedwhile driving or in a fuelling zone.

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Laws relating to drink driving and drugs applyto all areas airside. If you contravene theselaws, you will be denied airside access.

The airside areas consist of many differentoperating areas for:

Hazards and safetyprocedures

Aircraft Vehicles Pedestrians – YOU

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When working in airside areas including the apron(commonly known as the ramp) you should alwaysstay on the designated footways unless you areauthorised to move from them and you havereceived specific training to do this. You can walkon pedestrian walkways, including road crossings,but be aware of moving vehicles, especially incongested areas.

You can walk onto aircraft stands, but only if this ispart of your job and you have received the correcttraining.

Until you have received specifictraining you must only approachan aircraft under escort.

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When working outside on the apron you must keepto the designated walkways unless you have beenauthorised otherwise. Do not cause a hazard toaircraft.

Remember – flight crew have a limited fieldof vision.

Never ever approach an aircraft which has itsanti-collision lights illuminated.

You cannot walk ontaxiways (beyond doublewhite lines) unless youhave received specifictraining.

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PPE

High-visibility clothing must be worn at all timeswhen operating outside in an airside environment.It must be kept clean and be fastened at all times.If it becomes dirty or is blowing behind you then itbecomes ineffective. It is recommended thathearing protection should be carried at all timesand worn whenever the environment becomesnoisy. You should always also wear any other PPEequipment that is provided by your employer.

Hazards on the apron

Whenever you are on the apron, always be on thelookout for slip and trip hazards, such as chocks,Ground Power Unit (GPU) cables, towbars and spiltliquids. Never step over an obstruction – alwayswalk around it.

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A particular hazard around aircraft is the fuellinghoses and bonding cables. Bonding cables are areused to dissipate the build-up of static electricity. Ifyou accidentally run over either a fuel hose orbonding cable, contact the fuelling operatorimmediately.

Remember it is best to keep out of the fuellingzone altogether unless it is absolutely necessaryfor you to be there.

Working at height and manual handlingtasks must only be undertaken by peoplewho have received suitable training.

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Complacency – Never think that you knoweverything about operating airside or assume thatother people around you will stick to the rules andregulations.

Distractions and lack of awareness – Always beaware of what is happening around you.

Lack of familiarity – The airside ramp is a busyand dangerous environment to be in. You need tobe sure where you are going and plan your activityto minimise risk to yourself and others. Conditionscan change rapidly.

Ignorance – Never try to carry out operations forwhich you have not been trained and never ignoreregulations.

Pressure – There is always pressure to get the jobdone, but this must not be at the expense of safety.

Lack of experience – Statistically, young or newworkers lacking experience are far more likely to beinjured as a result of their activities airside. Alwaysfollow your training and use common sense.

If in doubt – STOP and ASK.

There are several non-aircraft hazardson the ramp. These include...

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Working around aircraft

Anti-collision lightsThese are normally located on the top andunderside of the aircraft fuselage. They are red andflash whenever an aircraft has its engines runningor is about to start its engines. Never ever attemptto approach an aircraft with its anti-collision lightsilluminated or flashing.

When working around aircraft it is essentialthat you are aware of the various parts andtheir significance.

Navigation lightsThese are located on the aircraft wingtips: green forright (starboard), red for left (port) and white onthe tail.

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Taxi lightsThese are located on the nose gear, or in the wings,and are like bright headlamps on full beam. Theyindicate an aircraft is moving. If they suddenlyswitch on, it means the aircraft is about to applypower and start to taxi.

Strobe lightsThese are high-intensity white flashing lights on thewingtips and tail.

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Auxiliary power unit (APU) This is an onboard means of supplying power to anaircraft, usually a small engine located at the rear ofthe aircraft. It can be very noisy.

Jet enginesThese are a significant hazard on the apron. Thetwo main hazards associated with jet engines areinlet suction and jet blast. Never walk or driveimmediately behind an aircraft whose engines arerunning. Be mindful of engine ingestion areas –these can vary depending on the type of engine theaircraft has. Remember – if an aircraft has its anti-collision lights illuminated, this usually indicates thatthe engines are running or are about to start.

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Approaching aircraftDo not approach an aircraft until it has stopped,until the wheels have been chocked, the engineshave run down and the anti-collision lights areswitched off.

PropellersAircraft propellers have the potential to cause manyserious accidents, whether they are rotating or not.It is worth bearing in mind that a propeller takes along time to stop rotating after the engine hasbeen shut down – don’t take any risks.

Be especially careful when working near anaircraft propeller in windy conditions.

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HelicoptersNever drive inside or under the rotor disc, whetherthe rotors are turning or not.

Always ensure you stay well clear of the tail rotor.

Only approach a helicopter when it isabsolutely necessary.

Ensure that the rotors have stopped and that theanti-collision lights have completely gone out. Beaware of the wash and down-draught a helicopter

Safe approach areas for helicopters

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Refuelling

When the aircraft is being refuelled, it is importantthat the relevant safety measures are met. Thefuelling zone is an area which extends radially fromthe fuelling point, the fuelling vents and the fuellingequipment. The distance will vary depending on theequipment being used and your airport proceedures.

may create, and make sure all loose items aresecured. Never approach a helicopter from the rear ifthe tail rotors are running, and be aware of theblade droop and sail. Always get the pilot’spermission before approaching a helicopter.

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Instrument sensors and hot or cold surfaces arewithin reach on the aircraft fuselage and absolutecare must be taken at all times. Any damage toan aircraft must be reported immediately.

The main precautions which you need to beaware of:- do not obstruct the fuel bowser – and alwayskeep an exit route clear in case of an emergency

- do not obstruct the emergency exit points fromoccupied parts of the aircraft while the aircraft isbeing refuelled

Fuel vent points are located underneath theaircraft wing, and this is where the potentiallyexplosive fuel vapour is expelled.

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If you damage or witness damage to an aircraft,you must report it immediately to the aircraftengineer, your supervisor and to the AirfieldOperations Department.

Remember – reduce accidents and we will allwin!

- no maintenance work may be carried out in thefuelling zone and ground power units shouldnot be connected or disconnected during thefuelling process

- no mobile phones or radios should be usedwithin the fuelling zone of an aircraft unlessthey are intrinsically safe

- make sure that all spillages are cleared up –immediately.

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No seat – no rideRiding on airside vehicles is only permitted wherethe vehicle is designed to carry passengers and hasproper seats fitted in accordance with theConditions of Use Regulations. Your airportmonitors driving standards around the airfield andwill take action against any driver who breaches thedriving regulations. This may involve the removalof your driving permit.

To operate and/or drive airside, you will require anAirside Operating Permit (AOP) and an AirsideDriving Permit (ADP). You will have to successfullycomplete additional training before you can beissued with an ADP. Before moving any vehicle,carry out a few simple checks, including lights,brakes and the radio.

Driving airside

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You should avoidreversing if at allpossible – but whereabsolutely necessary,then you must use abanksman.

Operators must be aware of vehicle height andwidth and ensure that mobile steps are loweredbefore moving any vehicle.

Damage to aircraft and equipment can haveserious consequences.

Drivers must not exceed the airport speed limit – itmay vary at different airports.

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Inclement weather andlow visibility

During periods of snow and ice inform yoursupervisor of any areas that require clearing ortreating with de-icer.

Don’t spill anything that may freeze. Rememberthat some road markings may become obscured.Only use the de-icing materials that are supplied byyour employer – don’t use salt.

When operating in high winds don’t leave itemsunsecured which may blow away. Close all vehicledoors, and don’t allow FOD to be blown from thevehicle. Secure all items of clothing, including hats.

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FOD

FOD stands for Foreign Object Debris – it is anotherword for litter or anything left where it shouldn’t bethat has the potential to cause damage. FOD is amajor hazard associated with operations airside.FOD is anything that can be sucked into an engineor blown by an aircraft engine, which then has thepotential to damage equipment or a vehicle – like anail in a tyre.

Be aware of airport low visibility operations andchanges that occur at night – from being blindedby aircraft lights to difficulties caused by lots offlashing lights and the loss of some road markings.

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Emergency procedures

There are emergency points located around theairport. You should familiarise yourself with theirlocations and the equipment that is located there.They may differ from airport to airport.

Once you have completed your tasks airside, makesure that you clear away any FOD that you havefound or created. Make sure that you contactAirport Operations if you have any FOD problemsthat you cannot deal with immediately. RememberFOD problems are everyone’s responsibility, not justthe Airport Authority’s.

Remember – FOD that’s landside today caneasily become airside tomorrow.

The telephones in the emergency contact pointsmay be directly linked to the airport exchangeemergency number and this will be clearly shown. Ifyou require assistance or see an accident, contactthe emergency services, and ensure that an accessroute is clear for the emergency vehicles. If you donot have access to an emergency point phone, call999.

Remember – safety is no accident.

Copyright ©2010 IOSH. All rights reserved. Copying or re-using all or any part of this printed work is strictly prohibited.

If you have any questions or feedback about thisbooklet, please call the IOSH Networks andInternational Directorate on +44 (0)116 257 3243or email networks@iosh.co.uk.

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Airside health and safety inductionAirports can be hazardous environments, and thesafety of airside workers and their colleaguesdemands constant vigilance.

The IOSH Aviation and Aerospace Group hasproduced this induction DVD with support fromAerodromes, Airlines and Airport ground operators,to give airside workers an overview of the hazards,risks and safety requirements of airside work.

Because safety is no accident.

Supported by

WE/JS/030910/CMM