Presentation by:
SAMUEL EKEFRE
WHAT IS APRON?
ICAO defines the Apron as that area in the airside of an airport where aircraft is parked for operations of loading, unloading, maintenance, refueling and passenger embarkation and disembarkation. It is a restricted area accessed only by authorized personnel via the colour coding of their On-Duty Cards – Red, Yellow, Yellow and Blue, Yellow and Green.
Apron Safety denotes every measure (proactive and reactive) put in place to ensure that aircraft, personnel, and equipment (fixed and mobile) are free from factors that may lead to injury and loss; and to avoid environmental damage. The rule is that Aprons should be kept clear of contaminants to the extent necessary to enable aircraft to manoeuvre safely or, where appropriate, to be towed or pushed.
THE PURPOSE OF APRON SAFETY
As a complex area of often very intense activities, the apron accommodates personnel and contractors from different organizations such as airport operations and maintenance staff, RFF, airport and airline engineers, planners, regulatory and security personnel, as well as ground handlers, caterers, and fuelers, all performing different activities and tasks daily. Owing to this level of aircraft activity, the complexity of operations, and the equipment used, Apron Operations and Workers can face various safety concerns and hazards as they attempt to turn an aircraft around within a limited time and space. The purpose of Apron Safety, therefore, is to continually reduce the risk of incidents and accidents to as Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) before, during and after operations.
MAJOR OPERATIONS ON THE APRON
The following are the primary operations that take place at/on the Apron which require adherence to Safety standards:
* Apron design and Layout
* Marking and Signage
* Maintenance of Apron Installations
* Inspection for Sufficient Lightings
* Manoeuvring Vehicle and Aircraft
* Apron Management and Stand Allocation
* Marshalling
* Towing and Pushback
* Re/fueling Operations
* Apron Cleaning
* Spillage Removal
* Embarkation and Disembarkation
* Passenger Evacuation (during an emergency)
* Baggage Loading and Unloading
* Maintenance of Emergency Equipment, etc.
HAZARD SOURCES ON THE APRON
Due to the multifaceted and sometimes simultaneous activities on and around the aircraft on the apron, many hazards present risks of which everyone must be aware while working, and then observe established safety protocols.
Some of these are:
❌ Noise emission
❌ Aircraft propellers
❌ Engine exhaust
❌ Jet blast
❌ Blown dust/debris
❌ Fire
❌ Trip Hazards
❌ Slippery Surfaces
❌ Sunburn
❌ Fatigue
❌ Electrocution
❌ Protruding controls
❌ Antennas
❌ Pitot tubes
❌ Open spilt fluids from overflow vents
❌ Cleaning compounds
❌Turbine and jet-powered aircraft hazards
❌ Ground operations hazards
PRACTICES OR ACCIDENTAL OCCURRENCES THAT OFTEN LEAD TO DAMAGE OR INJURY
🔸 Moving ground equipment up to an aircraft before engines or propellers stop rotating;
🔸 Manoeuvring equipment under and near an aircraft in an unsafe manner;
🔸 Connecting or disconnecting auxiliary power units during fueling operations;
🔸 Signalling or moving aircraft in close quarters without a wing or tail watch, etc.
HOW TO ENSURE APRON SAFETY
(See something, say something!)
✅ As a general rule, inherent and potential hazards must be identified and reported where necessary; and sound safety measures put in place.
✅ Wear an approved reflective (safety) vest at all times. No vest, no entry! No exemptions!
✅ Conduct routine general and lighting Inspections. During inspections by responsible officers, sources of danger for aircraft (waste, FODs, spillage, green management, etc.) must be removed.
✅ As a rule, the following aerodrome facilities shall be provided with a secondary power supply capable of supplying power when there is a failure of the primary power supply:
- apron areas over which passenger aircraft are being handled;
- floodlighting on designated isolated aircraft parking positions if provided;
✅ Apron areas that are appropriately lit will enable ground service providers to operate safely and allow aircraft crew members and passengers to safely board and deplane aircraft. Thus, it must be checked that the luminosity or the intensity and spread of lights on the apron are as per specifications in Annex 14.
✅ Management and supervision of construction/work sites on the aprons.
DRIVING AT THE AIRSIDE (APRON)
👍 All vehicles must be radio-equipped and the driver shall establish good two-way radio communication with the aerodrome Air Traffic Services Unit before entering the Maneuvering Area; and with the Apron Controller before entering the Apron.
👍 The driver shall maintain a continuous listening watch on the assigned frequency when in the Movement Area.
👍 All drivers must be trained and licensed (assigned a class B permit) to operate on the Apron as enshrined in the Airside Drivers’ Manual.
👍 They must be aware of and follow all safety rules and regulations at the Apron including the use of Amber lights at all times when driving.
👍 Drivers must never approach or drive behind an aircraft with its engines running.
👍 Drivers must give way to all moving aircraft including aircraft under tow.
👍 Drivers must never drive under the wing or fuselage of an aircraft except where expressly authorized (e.g., Refueling).
👍 When parking a vehicle at the side of an aircraft, care should be taken to ensure other services, such as refueling and catering are not impeded, and the wheels should be turned away from the aircraft.
👍 Drivers must never turn towards the aircraft when intending to vacate the area.
👍 Drivers of airside vehicles should avoid reversing. If a vehicle cannot be removed safely without a reversing procedure, then the driver should take the following procedures:
- apply the handbrake and turn off the engine, physically check behind and above for any possible obstructions;
- Please make sure that someone is available to stand near the vehicle to let you know of any possible collision.
👍 When marshalling duties are being performed, drivers must ensure that they do not impede or drive near a marshaller or the aircraft under their control.
👍 Drivers must take notice of all apron signage and markings, particularly the STOP and GIVE WAY signs and SPEED LIMITS of areas.
👍 Drivers must never drive under the wing or fuselage of an aircraft except where expressly authorized (e.g., Refueling).
👍 When parking a vehicle at the side of an aircraft, care should be taken to ensure other services, such as refueling and catering are not impeded, and that the wheels should be turned away from the aircraft.
👍 When marshalling duties are being performed, drivers must ensure that they do not impede or drive near a marshaller or the aircraft under their control.
SAFETY DISTANCES
Airside Drivers must be aware of the following safety distances when operating in the vicinity of aircraft:
❌ they should not drive, stop or park a vehicle within 3 meters of a parked aircraft, except when required for servicing of that aircraft;
❌ they should not drive within 15 meters of a hydrant point, aircraft fuel tank filling point or vent outlet during fueling operations, unless there is an operational requirement to do so;
❌ any contact with the fuel hydrants, hoses and cables that are connecting the aircraft to the refueling vehicle must be avoided at all costs;
❌ drivers must stay well clear of an aircraft when the anti-collision beacons are operating.
- The anti-collision beacons indicate that the engines are running or about to be started or that the aircraft is about to move.
- The beacons are usually displayed above and below the aircraft fuselage on larger aircraft and on top of the tail on smaller aircraft types.
- The beacons are flashing red colour.
Other warning signs to look out for on the apron are:
🟣 The aerobridge that is retracting or retracted;
🟣 The aircraft hold is closed and no vehicles will be left servicing the aircraft;
🟣 The pushback tug is attached and wheel chocks are removed;
🟣 At least 75 meters away from the rear of the operating aircraft (to avoid jet blast);
🟣 At least 7.5 meters from the front and to the side of powered aircraft engines (to avoid ingestion);
🟣 The use of mobile phones/radios within 15 meters of a hydrant point, aircraft fuel tank filling point or vent outlet when that aircraft is being fueled;
Right-of-Way Priority
Right-of-way is given to:
- Aircraft (under power, on pushback, or under tow) moving alone or accompanied by a marshalling crew;
- Emergency vehicles with activated emergency lights and/or audible sirens that are responding to an emergency;
- Maintenance vehicles engaged in operations;
- All other vehicular traffic.
Note
It is a recognized best practice for Airport Managements to ensure that its Workforce have and use the required PPE and follow the procedures when accessing and carrying out a specific task on the Apron.
CONCLUSION
Safety, they say, begins on the ground! The safety of operations on an apron area is greatly enhanced if the area is pre-planned with adequate space, and the appropriate location of lighting, signage and markings. Although many airports develop over time and face space constraints as they grow, having a plan that meets the demands of the future is an absolute necessity. Continuous monitoring, hazard identification and clearance (where possible), reporting, periodic reviews, evaluation, and implementation of measures (reactive and proactive) using the A-CDM model, will greatly enhance safety on the Apron and by extension, the airport.
REFERENCES
- Akwa Ibom International Airport Operations Manual: Apron Safety, p123-126
- Aviation AVI: Apron Safety
- Darwin Airport (2015) Airside Drivers Guide, Version 2.3
- ICAO Aerodrome Design Manual, Part 2 (Taxiways, Aprons and Holding Bays).
- ICAO Airport Services Manual (Doc 9137), Part 8
- ICAO Annex 14 – Aerodromes, Volume 1
- ICAO Annex 14, attachment A, Section 18-Operators of Vehicles
- MBJ AIRPORTS LIMITED – SIA: AIRSIDE MANAGEMENT AND PROCEDURES – APRON SAFETY
