AERO Specialties

If there’s an occupation that requires those practicing it to avoid distraction, it’s members of airside ground crews. For one, the functioning of an airport relies on the ground crew performing quickly but efficiently, accurately, and effectively. Failing to do so can cost the airlines thousands, even millions of dollars. That alone both requires and justifies the need to avoid distractions. However, there’s a reason even more compelling than the millions of dollars at stake for those airside ground crews to pay attention: safety. Not that the ground crews would want it any other way, but along with being one of the most stressful and demanding jobs, it can also be one of the most dangerous. It combines the same heavy lifting and trip and fall hazards of other occupations with the collision risks accompanying those in and around fleets of aircraft tugs , baggage carts, and the rest of the ground support equipment (GSE). Add in constant loud noise and massive aircraf...

Aviation ground crew work comes with some risks. It requires working from heights to clean, deice, repair, fuel, or otherwise maintain aircraft, typically at a fast pace. It also involves working in and around a whole fleet of motorized ground support equipment and heavy lifting, not to mention working with often dangerous, caustic, and highly flammable chemicals. And all of that is happening while there are massive aircraft taxiing around or being towed by aircraft tugs —it’s a pretty busy work environment. Despite all of that, most members of an air side crew wouldn’t have it any other way. There is, however, an additional risk: Extreme weather. It’s getter hotter in the summer, harsher in the winter, and the storms during the seasons can be more severe. These factors all create a dynamic that is not only miserable for an air side crew, it can be dangerous. Fortunately, the following safety tips can help to reduce that risk. Planning and Updating The first step...