Ground operations at major airports or any airport for that matter, are an important safety issue in aviation. There are numerous safety issues that pose a risk every day. While aircraft are being towed, serviced, repaired, maintenance vehicles driving across the ramp, aircraft are also taxiing to and from the runway at the same time. The ramp area sees a wide variety of high paced activities that involve aircraft, vehicles, and personnel working in close proximity to one another. Aside from the already mentioned activities from above, refueling, baggage and cargo handling also takes place on the ramp. Personnel involved with these types of activities are exposed to several hazards and potential injuries such as cuts, falls, strains and sprains, hazardous material exposure, contact with moving parts, electrical hazards, biohazards, high pressure air, and extremely high noise levels from operating engines and other equipment (Wells & Rodrigues, 2004).
Fuel handling is a major safety concern during ground operations. All safety procedures such as static grounding the aircraft, ensuring properly trained personnel are accomplishing the task, ensuring proper emergency services can respond in the event of the emergency such as a fuel spill or fire. Failure to adhere to specific safety precautions while refueling aircraft can lead to major disasters with serious consequences. The proper distance for refueling aircraft, such as fuel pit or truck location, can be just as important. These items should be located at least 50 feet away from a terminal building or outside of a hangar.
Another interesting topic when it comes to ground safety is runway incursions. A runway incursion is any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in a loss of separation with an aircraft that is taking off, intending to take off, landing, or intending to land (Wells & Rodrigues, 2004). To be considered a runway incursion, both of the following have to occur: at least one aircraft, vehicle, person, or object must be on the runway and a collision hazard or a loss of separation must occur. When it comes to vehicles on the flightline, there is technology in place to alert the driver when they are about to enter an active area, such as crossing the runway.
Reference: Wells, Alexander T. & Rodrigues, Clarence C. (2004). Commercial Aviation Safety. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Fuel handling is a major safety concern during ground operations. All safety procedures such as static grounding the aircraft, ensuring properly trained personnel are accomplishing the task, ensuring proper emergency services can respond in the event of the emergency such as a fuel spill or fire. Failure to adhere to specific safety precautions while refueling aircraft can lead to major disasters with serious consequences. The proper distance for refueling aircraft, such as fuel pit or truck location, can be just as important. These items should be located at least 50 feet away from a terminal building or outside of a hangar.
Another interesting topic when it comes to ground safety is runway incursions. A runway incursion is any occurrence at an airport involving an aircraft, vehicle, person, or object on the ground that creates a collision hazard or results in a loss of separation with an aircraft that is taking off, intending to take off, landing, or intending to land (Wells & Rodrigues, 2004). To be considered a runway incursion, both of the following have to occur: at least one aircraft, vehicle, person, or object must be on the runway and a collision hazard or a loss of separation must occur. When it comes to vehicles on the flightline, there is technology in place to alert the driver when they are about to enter an active area, such as crossing the runway.
Reference: Wells, Alexander T. & Rodrigues, Clarence C. (2004). Commercial Aviation Safety. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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