Introduction
Working at the airport exposes one to a wide range of hazards. Therefore, control measures are necessary to avert mishaps.
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Hazard Defined
Hazard may be defined as any undesirable condition or situation which may cause or contribute to an unsafe event or consequence. It may also be seen as anything that has the potential to cause harm. Hazards come in many forms viz: tangible, intangible, physical, and non-physical. Every airport must be able to identify hazards in whatever form that they take, so as to apply necessary control measures accordingly.
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Hazard Control
Hazard control (in an airport) refers to those defenses against the realization or escalation of hazards into undesirable consequences. In order words, it means mitigating action or mechanism that may detect the manifestation of hazard, prevent the manifestation of hazard, or correct or minimize the risk from hazard related consequences.
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Hazard Control Hierarchy
Once hazards or potential hazards are identified in an airport, control should be based on the following hierarchy:
- Elimination: physical removal of the hazard.
- Substitution: looking for a way to replace the hazard; taking away higher hazards and replacing such with low hazards.
- Engineering Control: working out modules to help in operations of equipment on ground to reduce the hazard.
- Administration: changing the way people and equipment interact with the hazard.
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): protecting the airport personnel by use of the requisite PPE.
Some Airport Hazards and Their Control Measures
👉 Aircraft Noise
Prolonged exposure to aircraft noise can lead to serious damage to the ears.
Control
- Always wear hearing protection, preferably ear defenders when working on the ramp.
- Limit the amount of time you spend in a noisy environment, even when wearing hearing protection.
N/B:
Aircraft noise could mask the approach of other aircraft, vehicles or equipment. Without hearing protection, one might not be able to sense (hear) approaching danger (PPE & Administrative Control).
👉 Slips and falls
Some surfaces are usually smooth. So when they are wet due to oil, spills, ice, etc, they become slippery with the potential to cause harm.
Control
- Always wear approved footwear.
- Take care when it is wet or cold and look out for spills (PPE & Administrative control)
👉 Thunder and Lightening
During heavy downpour, there may likely be issues of thunder and lightning.
Control
- Never embark on runway inspection/ patrol/ scouting in the rain.
- Observe other safety measures associated with this. (Administrative Control)
👉 Moving Aircraft
Aircrafts can’t stop as easily or as quickly as road vehicles, even when they are taxing or being towed at low speed.
Control
- Never walk or drive a vehicle in front of a moving aircraft.
👉 Moving Vehicles
Many other types of vehicle could be present on the ramp such as aircraft towing trucks, fuel tankers, baggage trucks, emergency vehicles etc. Although these vehicles should not move at high speed, you will not hear them approach due to noise from aircraft etc.
Control
- The best way to avoid being struck by a moving vehicle is to keep alert, particularly when emerging from buildings or sheds to the ramp.
- Where safe areas or walkways are marked on the ground, please use them.
👉 Aircraft Engines
All engines create suction which can drag someone in. This danger exists both in front of and to the side of the engine. This is known as the ‘ingestion zone’ and can be lethal. Engines also emit either propeller wash or exhaust blast (jet blast). This can emit great heat and force over considerable distances.
Control
- Keep well away from aircraft engines.
- If you have to approach them, you should do so when the engines are not running, from the side of the aircraft but away from the engine.
- Always wait until the wheels are choked.
👉 Porous fence
This can give rise to incursion. Unauthorized persons can gain access to the airport prohibited/ critical areas and cause mishap. Even wildlife can stray from the openings to the airfield and if not properly managed, can lead to wildlife strike.
Control
- All openings on the operational fence must be sealed.
👉 Foreign Object Debris (FOD)
FOD at airports includes any object found in an inappropriate location that, as a result of being in that location, can damage equipment or injure personnel. FOD include loose hardware, pavement fragments, catering supplies, rocks, pieces of luggage etc. It may be found at terminal gates, aprons, taxiways, runways, run-up pads etc.
Control
- Hand pick where necessary (Elimination control).
- Clean up using improvised or motorized sweeper.
👉 Environmental pollution
This could be through emission of pollutants from various sources such as construction/heavy equipment, fumes from vehicles etc.
Control
- Pollution control unit should be able to control the pollutants using standards and recommended practices so as to reduce impacts.
Golden Rules of Safety in Hazard Management
When hazards are identified, the following golden rules of safety must be applied in addressing them:
A – Comply: Comply to every safety rules and regulations.
B – Intervene: Endeavour to intervene in any case of hazard to curb mishap.
C – Respect: Be courteous towards all. Do not find faults. Show respect till the desired result is obtained.
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Conclusion
Safety is everybody’s business, safety first, safety always. Since safety is everybody’s business, it is expected that all airport personnel be vigilant for timely detection, reporting and elimination of hazards. On her part, the airport operator must put up the hierarchy of control and ensure implementation.
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Reference
- ACI 2019, Airside Safety and Operations. GNS2.
- Anon (1998) Statistical Summary of commercial aircraft accidents, worldwide operations.
- Khati. R et al, 1996. An evaluation of approach and landing factors influencing aviation safety .
