HSE Aircraft Turnround HSG209

Page1of22

Health and Safety Executive

Aircraft turnroundAguideforairportandaerodromeoperators,airlinesandserviceprovidersonachievingcontrol,co-operationandco-ordination

This is a free-to-download, web-friendly version of HSG209 (First edition, published 2000). This version has been adapted for online use from HSE’s current printed version.

Youcanbuythebookatwww.hsebooks.co.ukandmostgoodbookshops.

ISBN 978 0 7176 1860 6 Price £6.95

This guide is aimed at airport operators, airlines and companies that provide supporting services to air transport. It is relevant to directors, managers and safety representatives. It gives information on their legal obligations to co-operate and co-ordinate their health and safety efforts. In particular, it focuses on ‘aircraft turnaround’ activities, which can involve several different contractors.

HSE Books

Page2of22


© Crown copyright 2000

Firstpublished2000

ISBN9780717618606

Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans(electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recordingorotherwise)withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner.

Applicationsforreproductionshouldbemadeinwritingto:TheOfficeofPublicSectorInformation,InformationPolicyTeam,Kew,Richmond,SurreyTW94DUore-mail:[email protected]

ThisguidanceisissuedbytheHealthandSafetyExecutive.Followingtheguidanceisnotcompulsoryandyouarefreetotakeotheraction.Butifyoudofollowtheguidanceyouwillnormallybedoingenoughtocomplywiththelaw.Healthandsafetyinspectorsseektosecurecompliancewiththelawandmayrefertothisguidanceasillustratinggoodpractice.

Aircraftturnround Page3of22


ContentsIntroduction 4Whoshouldreadthisbooklet? 4WhyshouldIreadthisbooklet? 4Howcanthisbooklethelp? 4

What are the hazards to health and safety during aircraft turnround? 5

What are my responsibilities? 7Whataremyresponsibilitiesasanemployer? 7Whataremyresponsibilitiestopeoplewhoarenotmyemployees? 7

What do I have to do if I am an airport or aerodrome operator? 11WhatcanIdotoimprovehealthandsafetyduringturnrounds? 11WhatifIamalsoaserviceprovider? 12

What do I have to do if I am an airline or aircraft operator? 13WhatifIhaveappointedahandlingagent? 13WhataboutthecontractsIhavewithmyserviceproviders? 14Whatriskdomyactivitiesgenerateforothers? 14WhatcanIdotomakemycontractorsworkwelltogether? 14WhatifIamalsoaserviceprovider? 15WhataboutJAR-OPS? 15

What do I have to do if I am a service provider? 16Whatifahandlingagenthasbeenappointed? 16Whatifthereisnohandlingagent? 16WhatifIengagecontractors? 16

What are the legal requirements? 17

Where can I get further information? 19Pricedpublications 19Freepublications 20

References 21



IntroductionWho should read this booklet?

Thisbookletwillbeofinteresttoyouifyouareadirector,seniormanageroremployeesafetyrepresentativeatanairportoraerodrome.Itcontainsadviceforairportoraerodromeoperators,airlinesoraircraftoperators,andserviceproviders(includinggroundhandlers).

Theguidanceinthisbookletisnotintendedforprivatepilots,flyingschools,orflyingclubs.Norisitintendedforaerodromeswhichonlyhandlethesekindofusers.However,youshouldrememberthatifyouemploypeople,orareself-employed,youarestillsubjecttohealthandsafetylaw(seethesectioncalledWhat are the legal requirements?onpage17).

Why should I read this booklet?

Theapronisabusyandcomplexworkplace.Workersfacemanyhazards,particularlyfromthemovementandoperationofaircraftandvehicles.Currently,accidentratesintheindustryarewellabovethenationalaverageforallindustries,andforgroundhandlingandairportworkers,accidentratesexceedeventhoseoftheconstructionindustryandtheagriculturalsector.1

Inadditiontothesufferingcausedtopeople,theseaccidentsorincidentsontheaproncancauseconsiderablelosses,including:

n lossofrevenueduetodelayedflights;n damagedassets;n compromisedaircraftsafetyandthepotentialforacatastrophicairaccident;n costsofreplacingandcompensatinginjuredemployeesorothers;n lossofreputation;andn lossofexistingandfuturecontracts.Manyoftheselosseswillnotbecoveredbyinsurance.HealthandSafetyExecutive(HSE)studieshaveshownthattheuninsuredcostsofaccidentscanbeupto36timesgreaterthanthecostsofinsurancepremiums.2

How can this booklet help?

Thisbookletcontainsguidanceonyourcompany’shealthandsafetyresponsibilitiesduringthepreparationofaircraftforflight,whichisknownintheindustryas‘aircraftturnround’.Itexplainswhatyouhavetodotomakesurethatyourcompanymeetstherequirementsofhealthandsafetylaw,andgivesanumberofsuggestionsonhowtodoit.

TheguidancebuildsontheadviceinCivil Aviation Publication Airside Safety Management(CAP642),3whichHSEendorses.Itconcentratesontheresponsibilitiesyouhaveinrelationtothestaffofothercompanies,includingyourcontractors.Italsolooksatco-operationandco-ordinationduringturnround.

ItdoesnotaddressdutiesunderCivilAviationlegislationtoensureflightsafety.However,manyofthekeypointswithintheguidanceareequallyapplicabletoaircraftsafetyandoccupationalhealthandsafety.



What are the hazards to health and safety during aircraft turnaround?Aircraftturnroundinvolvesmorethanjustmakingsurethattheaircraftisairworthyandhasenoughfueltoreachitsintendeddestination.Theaircrafthastobereadytodeliverthequalityofserviceexpectedbythecustomer,whethertheyarepassengersoraconsignorofcargo.Turnroundincludescleaning,catering,refuelling,baggageandcargohandling,toiletandpotablewaterservicing,somemaintenancework,andgettingpassengersandcrewontoandofftheaircraft. Ahazardisanythingwhichcancauseharm.SomeofthehazardstohealthandsafetyinvolvedinturnroundareshowninFigure1.

Hazard Possible sources

Manual handling Handlingcargoandbaggage,butalsoequipment suchasvacuumcleanersandcateringtrolleys

Falls from heights Fallsfromaircraftholds,conveyorbeltvehicles, cateringvehiclesandmaintenanceplatforms

Moving vehicles Vehiclesdrivinguptoandawayfromtheaircraft, vehiclespassingclosetotheaircraftontheirway toanotherstand,orcrossingpedestrianroutes

Fire and explosion Refuellingofaircraft

Hazardous substances Exposuretobodyfluidsandsanitarywaste, injuriesfromdiscardedhypodermicneedles (needlestickinjuries)duringaircraftcleaning,skin exposuretoaircraftfuels,fumesfromaircraftand vehicleengines

Noise Aircraftauxiliarypowerunitsandengines,ground powerunitsandvehicleengines

Electricity Groundpowerunitsandcables

Machinery Movingpartsofmachinery(egconveyorbelts)

Slips and trips Badlystowedcables,spillagesoffluids(egfuel, oil,hydraulicfluid)

Figure 1 Hazardsduringaircraftturnround



Turnroundoftenhastobecarriedouttoatightdeadline.Frequently,allthetasksinvolvedhavetobecarriedoutsimultaneously.Theyareoftencarriedoutbyanumberofdifferentcompanies,whoareusuallycontractedtoanumberofdifferentairlinesoraircraftoperators.Someairlineshavedivisionsorsubsidiarieswhichcarryoutpartsoftheturnround.Atsmallerairportssomeoftheworkersinvolvedmaybeemployedbytheairportoraerodromeoperator.Atlargerairportsthisisrarelythecase.

Whatevertheset-upataparticularairportorairline,itisalmostcertainthatasubstantialportion,ifnotall,oftheturnroundwillbecarriedoutbycontractors.Some organisations still do not accept their responsibilities for the contractors working for them.

In this booklet, the term ‘contractors’ includes service providers involved in aircraft turnround, not just those companies involved in construction or building maintenance.

Oftenthereisafailuretoproperlyco-operateandco-ordinateactivitiesduringturnround.Becausethereareoftenmanycompaniesallworkingaroundtheaircraftatthesametime,anyfailuretoacceptresponsibilitiesandanyweaknessesinco-operationandco-ordinationarelikelytoincreasetheriskstohealthandsafety(‘risk’beingthechance,greatorsmall,thatsomeonewillbeharmedbyahazard).



What are my responsibilities?What are my responsibilities as an employer?

Youmustprotectthehealthandsafety(andwelfare)ofyouremployeesandyoushouldtakewhatactionyoucantoprotectthemfromriskscreatedbytheactivitiesofotherairportusers.Youmustconsultanysafetyrepresentativesatyourcompanyandyouremployeesonmatterstodowiththeirhealthandsafetyatwork.Youmustalsomakesurethattheriskstootherpeoplefromyouractivitiesarecontrolled(egtoothercompanies’employees,membersofthepublicortheself-employed).

MoredetailedguidanceonyourdutiesinrelationtoyourownstaffcanbefoundintheFurther informationsectionattheendofthisbooklet.

What are my responsibilities to people who are not my employees?

Iftheyareaffectedbyyourcompany’sactivities,therearethreekeythingsyoumustdotomakesurethatyouprotecttheirhealthandsafety:

1 Co-operate and co-ordinate with other employers. 2 Control your contractors. 3 Assess and control the risks to other people from your activities and inform them of any risks still left.

1 Co-operation and co-ordination

Ifthereisco-operationandco-ordinationbetweenallemployerssharingaworkplacetheneveryone’slegalobligationscanbemet.Goodco-operationandco-ordinationisvitalwhereemployersshareacomplexanddynamicworkplacesuchasanairportoraerodrome.

Theairport or aerodrome operatorisbestplacedtodevelopco-operationandco-ordinationonanairport-widebasis,butcanonlydosowiththeactiveinvolvementofthewholeairportoraerodromecommunity.

Individualairlinesshouldmakesurethatalltheirserviceprovidersco-operateandco-ordinatetheirwork.

Service providersshouldalsoplaytheirpartby:

n takingpartinforumsforco-operationandco-ordinationattheairportor aerodrome,suchastheAirsideSafetyCommittee;

n co-operatingwitheachotherwhenworkingaroundtheaircraft;n followingairportoraerodromerulesandagreements;n makingsensible,safeandconsiderateuseofparkingareas,particularlyatthe

headofthestand;andn whendevelopingprocedures,takingintoaccounttherecommendationsofthe

aircraftmanufactureronconductduringturnround.



2 Controlling your contractors

Thecourtshaveruledthatorganisationsretainsomeresponsibilityforhealthandsafetyduringactivitiescarriedoutbytheircontractors.4You cannot delegate your legal responsibilities.Youcannotjustrelyonstandardclausesrequiringcontractorstocomplywithrelevanthealthandsafetylegislation.Youmusttakeallreasonablypracticablestepsto:

(a) checkwhetheryourexistingandprospectivecontractors’arrangementsandorganisationforhealthandsafetyaregoodenoughtomakesurethattheycancarryouttheirtaskssafely;

(b) co-ordinateandcontroltheworktheycarryoutonyourbehalf;and(c) monitortheirperformance.

How can I do this?

(a)Yourassessmentofyourcontractors’arrangementsshoulduseanumberofcriteria,including:

n Atthepre-tenderstage,askfordetailsofhealthandsafetydocuments,forexamplethehealthandsafetypolicyandcopiesofriskassessmentsfortheworkincludedinthecontract.

n Interviewshort-listedcontractorsand/orvisitcurrentworktoassesshealthandsafetystandards.Forexample,examinedrivertrainingschemesandvehicle maintenance.

n Investigatepastperformance.Usefulinformationcanincludereferencesfrom currentandformerclients,internalauditsandinspectionsagainsttheairportoraerodromeoperator’shealthandsafetymanagementsystem,and/ortheresultsofanyauditsundertakenbytheairportoraerodromeoperator.

n Monitorperformancethroughoutthetermofthecontract.

(b)Youshouldco-ordinateandcontroltheirperformancethrougha combinationof:

n Appointingasupervisortocontroltheturnround.Thiscouldbeamemberofyourownstaff,orahandlingagent.Theyshouldhavesufficientauthoritytocontroltheactivitiesaroundtheaircraftandshouldbeworkingtoanagreedplanfortheturnround(seeFigure2).

n Agreeingandwritingdownaplanofhowandwheneachpartoftheturnroundwillbecarriedout(seeFigure2).

n Undertakingjointriskassessmentsoftheturnroundprocess.Theseassessmentscouldinformtheperformancestandardsandtheplanfortheturnround.Jointriskassessmentswillneedtotakeaccountofdifferencesbetweencompanies’management,supervision,equipmentandtraining.However,itisimportantthattheydonotleadtoinadequatehealthandsafetystandardsforanyofthepeopleandcompaniesusingthem.

n Agreeingperformancestandardsonhealthandsafety,forexample,frequencyofvehiclemaintenanceandstandardsfortrainingandrefreshertraining.



Theplanfortheturnroundshoulddescribehowtheturnroundwillbecarriedout.Itshouldenableeverycontractortocarryouttheirworksafelyandwithoutendangeringothers.Allthecontractorsinvolvedshouldhaveacopyoftheplan.Pointstoconsiderintheplaninclude:

n howthesupervisororhandlingagentwillcarryouttheirwork;commonarrangements,suchaswhattodoinanemergencyandminimumpersonalprotectiveequipmentneeds;

n thesignalthatitissafeforvehiclesandpeopletoapproachtheaircraft;n theorderinwhichtheyshouldapproach;andn thepositionstheyshouldtakeup,tomakesureeveryonecangettoand

fromtheaircraftsafelyandwithoutendangeringothers.

Figure 2 Theplanfortheturnround

(c)Forperformancemonitoringtobeeffective,itshouldcoverseveralfactors,suchas:

n Methodsofwork:dotheworkersfollowthecontractor’sstandinginstructionsormethodstatements?Istheplanfortheturnroundbeingfollowed?Ifnot,whynot?

n Areobvioushealthandsafetyrisksbeingcontrolled?Forexample,isenoughbeingdonetopreventfallsfromheightsorneedlestickinjuries?

n Arecontractors’employeesfollowingairportrules,forexample,aretheywearinghi-visibility(hi-viz)clothing?

Thepeoplemonitoringperformanceshouldbetrainedtoidentifyunsafepracticesandshouldhaveenoughresources,includingtime,tocarryoutthework.Youmaywishtodeveloppartnershipswithyourcontractors,forexamplebyprovidinghealthandsafetyadvicetothem.HSEresearchshowsthatclientswhoestablishedapartnershipapproachwiththeircontractorsfoundthatitreducedbusinesscostsandlosses.5

3 Assessing, controlling and providing information on risks to others

Youmustassesstherisksyouractivitiesposetoothers.Unlesstheserisksarealreadyaslowasreasonablypracticable,youshouldputinplacecontrolmeasurestoreducethem.Often,measureswhichprotectyouremployees’healthandsafetywillalsoprotectotherpeople’s.Personalprotectiveequipmentshouldbeusedasalastresort,orasastopgapuntilmorepermanentcontrolsareinplace.Youshouldalsotakereasonablestepstoprovideinformationonanyrisksstillleft.Figure3givesanexampleofassessing,controllingandprovidinginformation.



Asaserviceprovider,youmaywishtouseadieselgroundpowerunit(GPU)toprovidepowertotheaircraftatthestand.Youshouldassesstheriskstoyouremployeesandothersfromusingthisequipment,includingtheriskofdamagetotheirhearingfromexposuretonoise.Thisassessmentwillhelpyoutodecidehowtheseriskscanbecontrolled.

Theeasiestwaytocontrolriskisbyelimination,forexamplebyusingfixedelectricalgroundpowerinstead.Inthisway,nooneisexposedtonoisefromtheGPU.However,sometimesadieselGPUistheonlyoption.

Youmayhavetotakemeasurementsofthefrequenciesofthenoisefromthemachine.Youmaynotbeabletodothisin-house,buttherearespecialistcontractorswhocandothisforyou.Themeasurementswillhelpyoutomakesurethatanyprecautionsyouproposewillactuallycontroltherisks.Otherwise,youmayspendmoneyonimprovementswhichdonottackletheproblem.

Improvementswhichmayreducetherisksfromnoiseincludemaintainingtheengine(asefficientenginestendtobequieter)andfittingacousticinsulationontheexhaustandenginecompartment.ImprovementslikethesewillreducetheriskstoeveryoneworkingaroundtheGPU,notjustyouremployees.

Whateverimprovementsareneeded,youshoulddrawupaplantoputtheminplace.Untilyouareabletomaketheseimprovements,staffwhoworkaroundtheGPUmayhavetowearhearingprotection(suchaseardefenders).YoushouldpickthetypeofprotectioncarefullytomakesurethatitcontrolsthefrequenciesofnoisefromtheGPUwhichmaycauseharm.Ifemployeeshavetowearotherprotectiveequipment,suchasavisor,youshouldcheckthattheindividualitemsofequipmentarecompatiblewitheachother.

OnceanyimprovementstotheGPUareinplace,ifitstillmakessufficientnoisetocausehearingdamage,peopleworkingarounditmayneedtocontinuetowearhearingprotection.

Atallstages,youshouldinformanyothercompaniesworkingaroundtheGPUthattheirstaffmaybeexposedtolevelsofnoisewhichmaycausehearingdamage.Thiswillhelpthemtomaketheirownassessmentoftherisksanddecidewhatprecautionstheiremployeesneedtotake.

HSEhaspublishedguidanceonriskassessment,includingtheriskofexposuretonoise,whichyoumayfinduseful(seetheFurther informationsectionattheendofthisbooklet).

Figure 3 Assessing,controllingandprovidinginformationontherisksfromexposuretonoisefromgroundpowerunits



What do I have to do if I am an airport or aerodrome operator?Youprovideaworkplacewhichmaybeusedbyothercompanies,andoftenyouprovidesomeworkequipment(suchaspassengerboardingbridges).Youremployeesmayroutinelyworkontheapron,forinstanceasmarshallers,maintenancepersonnel,orbaggagehandlers.

Youmustprotectthehealthandsafetyofyouremployeesandconsultsafetyrepresentativesandemployeesonmatterstodowiththeirhealthandsafety.Youmustalsoprotectthehealthandsafetyofeveryoneaffectedbyyouractivities,includingmembersofthepublicandotherpeopleusingyourairportoraerodrome(suchastenantsandcontractors).Youmustmakesurethattheworkequipmentandworkplaceswhichyouprovideorcontrolaresafeandwithoutriskstohealth.Forexample,youshouldensurethatthelayoutoftheairportoraerodromesegregatesvehiclesandpedestrians,asfaraspossible.Thisislikelytoincludehavingdefinedwalkways,roadwaysandparkingareasetc.

Yourresponsibilityforhealthandsafetyinanyparticularlocation,orduringanyparticularactivity,increasesasyourcontroloveritincreases.Forinstance,youmaynotberesponsibleforassessmentsofVDUworkstationsintheofficesofanairlineorserviceprovider,asyoumayhavelittleornocontroloftheactivity,equipmentorprocedures.Butyoudohavecontroloverthepassengerboardingbridgesattheairportoraerodrome,andsoyoushouldmakesurethattrainingisgiventopeoplewhooperatethemsotheycandothisworksafely.

What can I do to improve health and safety during turnrounds?

Asanairportoraerodromeoperator,youareinthebestplacetodevelopairport-wideco-operationandco-ordinationbetweencompanies.YoushouldconsiderestablishinganAirsideSafetyCommitteewhichbringstogetherairlines,serviceprovidersandotherairportoraerodromeusers.Thiscommitteecouldbeusedtodevelopairport-widehealthandsafetystandardsoragreements,forexampleinrelationtothegroundhandlingpolicyandapronequipmentinitiativessuggestedbyCAP642.3

IfstaffarerepresentedattheAirsideSafetyCommittee,forexamplethroughtradeunionhealthandsafetyrepresentatives,theywillbringtothediscussionsusefulknowledgeoftheday-to-dayproblemsandhazardsfacedbyworkersontheapron.Experienceshowsthatthiskindofparticipationhelpstoreducerisksbyencouraging‘ownership’ofhealthandsafetypoliciesandprocedures.

Youshouldalsotakeanactiveroleinsettingandmonitoringstandards.Forexample,youcouldincludehealthandsafetyrequirementsinthebye-lawsorlicenceconditions(forinstance,mandatorywearingofhi-vizclothingairside).

Ifthebye-lawsorlicenceconditionsarebroken,youshouldtakeactionagainsttheorganisationsand/ortheindividualsinvolved.Examplesofsuchactionincluderevokingtheairsidepassesofvehicleswhichhavenotbeenproperlymaintained,orimposingfinesondriverswhobreachspeedlimits(and/orontheorganisationstheyworkfor).Youshouldrememberthatfinesandothersanctionswillonlybeeffectiveasadeterrentiftheseverityofthepenaltyreflectstheseriousnessofwhathasbeendone.



Youcouldgoevenfurtherandintroduceairport-widehealthandsafetyassurancesystems,orauditsofcompaniesworkingatyourairportoraerodrome.Agrowingnumberofairportandaerodromeoperatorshaveimplementedauditschedulesandproducefindingsandstatisticsfortenantsandconcessionaires.Theinformationcanmakeausefulcontributiontoindependentauditsbyairlinesoftheirserviceproviders’commitmenttohealthandsafety.

Asaminimum,youshouldmakesurethatstandardsofvehiclemaintenanceanddrivertrainingmeetthelevelsuggestedbyCAP642.3

What if I am also a service provider?

Advicecanbefoundinthesectiononpage16What do I have to do if I am a service provider?



What do I have to do if I am an airline or aircraft operator?Youmustprotectthehealthandsafetyofyourownstaffandyoumustconsultsafetyrepresentativesandemployeesonmatterstodowiththeirhealthandsafetyatwork.Youarealsoresponsibleformakingsurethatanybuildingsandequipmentyouprovideforothers’employeestousearesafe(forexample,whenanotherairlinerentsofficeorhangarspacefromyou).Youmustassessandminimisetherisksthatyouractivitiesandoperationsposetoothers.

Duringaircraftturnround,itislikelythatyourresponsibilitieswillfocusonyourcontractors,ieyourserviceproviders.

Yourcontractsandcontractorsmaybeorganisedinmanydifferentways:

n Youmayhaveawardedcontractsforservicesdirectly;n youmaybeusingtheservicesofahandlingagentwhoco-ordinatesthe

provisionofservices;orn youmayhaveamixofserviceproviders,somecontractedlocally,otherson

thebasisofinternationalcontracts.

Whicheverwayyouhaveorganisedyourturnrounds,youshouldmakesurethatallyourserviceprovidershaveadequatearrangementsandorganisationforhealthandsafety.Thisincludesanyhandlingagentyouuse.Youshouldalsomakesurethattheiractivitiesaroundyouraircraftarecontrolledandco-ordinated.Theagreedplanfortheturnroundwillbeanimportantpartofthis.

What if I have appointed a handling agent?

Youshouldnotpresumethatyoucanleavealltheassessment,control,co-ordinationandmonitoringtoyourhandlingagent,astheymaybecontractedtodonomorethancheckticketsandboardingpasses.

Thehandlingagentmayhandlethewholeturnroundforyou,subcontractingindividualpartstoothercompanies.Thismeansthatthehandlingagenttakesontheday-to-dayresponsibilityforassessing,controlling,co-ordinatingandmonitoringthosecompanies.Evenso,youneedtocheckthatthehandlingagentiscapableofdoingthisproperly,andyoushouldmonitortheirperformance.

Examplesofhowyoucanmonitorperformanceinthesecircumstancesincludeacombinationof:

n requiringregularreportsfromthehandlingagent,whichincludehealthand safetymatters;

n makingsurethehandlingagentreportstoyouanyaccidentsorincidentsaroundyouraircraft;and

n observingasampleofturnroundstoseeifthehandlingagentkeepsproper control.

Someserviceprovidersmaybearrangedbyahandlingagentonyourbehalf,whileothersarecontractedbyyoudirectly.Ifso,youwillneedtocheckthatthehandlingagentisabletoassess,controlandmonitoritssubcontractorsandyoushouldassess,controlandmonitoryourdirectcontractors.Youwillhavetomakesurethattheactivitiesofyourhandlingagentandyourdirectcontractorsareco-ordinated.



Ifyouarrangeallthecontractorsyouuseduringturnroundyourself,youshouldassess,control,co-ordinateandmonitortheiractivitiesyourself.

What about the contracts I have with my service providers?

YoumayusetheInternationalAirTransportAssociation(IATA)StandardGroundHandlingAgreementasthebasisforyourcontracts.However,asthiscontainsonlylimitedhealthandsafetyrequirements,itisunlikelytobeenoughtomeetyourlegalobligations.

Contractsshouldnotcontainclauseswhichwillencourageserviceproviderstobreachhealthandsafetylaw,localbye-lawsorairportoraerodromestandinginstructions.For example, specified maximum turnround times should not be so tight that service providers can only meet them by taking health and safety shortcuts.Somecommonshortcutsandbadpracticewhichshouldbeavoidedinclude:

n steppinginbetweenbaggagedollies;n blockingtheescaperouteofrefuellingvehicles;n blockingescapeslidedeploymentareas;n blockingpassengerboardingbridgemanoeuvringareas;n approachingaircraftwithanti-collisionlightsonandenginesrunning(unless

performingataskinaccordancewithaStandardOperatingProcedure;this shouldincludeasafesystemofworkforthetask);

n carryingmorepeopleinavehiclethanitisintendedtotake;n openingaircraftdoorsbeforestepsorcateringvehiclesareinposition(ifthis

isnecessarywithaspecificaircrafttype,asafesystemofworkforopeningthedoorsmuststillbeusedandmayformpartoftheStandardOperatingProcedures);and

n notusingguardrailsonaccessequipment,suchasmobilebeltconveyorboomsandhi-loaders.

What risks do my activities generate for others?

Youraircraftwillcreateriskstogroundhandlingstaffwhichyoumustassessandcontrol.Forexample,ifyourin-aircraftcargohandlingsystemisfaulty,itmayincreaseboththetimeneededtopreparetheaircraftforitsnextflightandtheriskofmanualhandlinginjuriestogroundhandlingstaff.Anothercommonexampleofrisksfromaircraftisuseoftheauxiliarypowerunit(APU).Thisexposesgroundhandlingstafftonoise.AskyourselfiftheAPUhastobeleftrunningallthetimeduringturnrounds,orwillgroundpowersufficeuntiltheaircraftisreadytoboard?

What can I do to make my contractors work well together?

Asanaircraftoperatororairline,youalsohaveanimportantroleinmakingsurethatyourcontractorsco-operateandco-ordinatetheirwork.Akeypartofco-ordinationwillbetheagreedplanfortheturnround.Co-operationcanbeenhancedbycontinuedcontactwithyourcontractors,forexamplethroughregularmeetingswiththem,bothindividuallyandcollectively.Thesemeetingsmayalsocomplementyourassessment,controlandmonitoringactivities.



Pointstoconsideratthesemeetingscouldinclude:

n howwelltheplanfortheturnroundisworking;n concernswithindividualcontractor’sperformance;n concernswithhowallthecontractorsperformasateamaroundtheaircraft;

andn problemswhichareoutsidethecontrolofthecontractors,forexamplethe

activitiesofotherairportusers.

Whetherornotyouarepartofanallianceofairlines,youmayfinditbeneficialtoagreeuniformstandardsforhealthandsafetyduringturnroundwithotherairlinesoraircraftoperatorsattheairportswhichyouflyfrom.Thesecouldbediscussedandagreedwiththeairportoraerodromeoperatorandserviceproviders,egattheAirsideSafetyCommittee.Standardsforperformancemonitoringcouldbeincluded.Agreedstandardscanpreventtheduplicationofeffortinvolvedineveryairlinedevelopingitsownstandards.Theycanalsomakeitsimplerforcontractorstomonitortheirownperformance.

Youmayalsodecidetojoinwithotherairlinesinhealthandsafetybenchmarking.Youcouldencourageyourserviceproviderstobenchmarkagainstsimilarcompanies(seetheFurther informationsectionattheendofthispublication).

Toinfluenceco-operationandco-ordinationacrosstheairportoraerodrome,youshouldattendforumssuchastheAirsideSafetyCommittee.

What if I am also a service provider?

Advicecanbefoundinthesectiononpage16What do I have to do if I am a service provider?

What about JAR-OPS?

ThesuggestionsinthisbookletcanformpartofthemanagementandorganisationyouhaveinplacetomeetJointAviationRequirements-OPS1Commercial Air Transportation[Aeroplanes](JAR-OPS),6inparticularJAR-OPS1.175General rules for Air Operator Certification.



What do I have to do if I am a service provider?Allcontractorsontheapronhavetoworkquicklytocompletetheirworkintime.Youmustprotectthehealthandsafetyofyourownstaffandconsultsafetyrepresentativesandemployeesonmatterstodowiththeirhealthandsafetyatwork.Youmustalsoconsiderotherorganisations’healthandsafetyneeds.Forinstance,cateringorbaggagevehiclesshouldnotblocktheescapepathofarefuellingvehicle,buttherefuellingvehicleshouldnotbeparkedinsuchawayastohinderorpreventthesafeaccessofthecaterersorloaderstotheaircraft.

What if a handling agent has been appointed?

Ifahandlingagenthasbeenappointedtocontroltheturnround,youshouldco-operatefullywiththem.Theyshouldbeworkingtoanagreedplanfortheturnround.Youshouldhaveacopyofthisplanandshouldfollowit.Youshouldalsohaveasupervisororleadinghandwhocancontrolyourpartoftheturnround.

What if there is no handling agent?

Thereshouldstillbesomeoneincontroloftheworkandanagreedplanfortheturnround.Youshouldhaveacopyofthisplanandshouldfollowit.

Wherethiscreatesproblems,theseshouldberaisedwiththeairlineand/ortheotherserviceprovidersinvolved.Ifpeoplenotinvolvedintheturnroundcreateproblems,egbyparkingvehicleswheretheywillpreventsafeaccesstotheaircraft,thiscouldberaisedattheAirsideSafetyCommittee.

What if I engage contractors?

Youshouldassess,controlandmonitoryourcontractors.



What are the legal requirements?AllemployersaresubjecttotherequirementsoftheHealthandSafetyatWorketcAct1974,theManagementofHealthandSafetyatWorkRegulations1999andotherhealthandsafetylaw.Thissectionoutlinesthekeylegalrequirementswhichunderpintheguidanceinthisbooklet.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974(HSWAct)requiresemployerstoensurethehealthandsafety,sofarasreasonablypracticable,oftheiremployeesandotherpersonsaffectedbytheiractivities.Thisincludestheemployeesoftheircontractors,membersofthepublicandotherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedbythework,suchasotherairportusers.Althoughonlythecourtscangiveanauthoritativeinterpretationofthelaw,inconsideringtheapplicationofregulationsandguidancetopersonsworkingunderyourdirection,youshouldconsiderthefollowing:

Ifyouhavepeopleworkingunderyourcontrolanddirectionwhoaretreatedasself-employedfortaxandNationalInsurancepurposes,theyareneverthelesstreatedasyouremployeesforhealthandsafetypurposes.Youmaythereforeneedtotakeappropriateactiontoprotectthem.

Ifyouareinanydoubtaboutwhoisresponsibleforthehealthandsafetyofapersonworkingforyou,thiscouldbeclarifiedaspartofacontract.However,rememberyoucannotpassonalegaldutythatfallstoyouundertheHSWActbymeansofacontractandyouwillstillretaindutiestowardsothersbyvirtueofSection3oftheHSWAct.Ifyouintendtoemployworkersonthebasisthatyouarenotresponsiblefortheirhealthandsafety,youshouldseeklegaladvicebeforedoingso.

TheHSWActalsoplacesdutiesonthosewhocontrolaplaceofworkwhichtheymakeavailabletopeoplewhoarenottheiremployees,orthosewhocontrolanyplantorsubstanceinsuchaplace.Itrequiresthemtoensurethattheplace,plantorsubstanceissafeandwithoutriskstohealth,sofarasisreasonablypracticable.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999requireemployerstoassesstherisksarisingoutoftheirworkactivitiesandsetsoutprinciplesonwhichprecautionsshouldbebased.Theregulationsalsorequireemployerstomakeappropriatearrangementsfortheeffectiveplanning,organising,control,monitoringandreviewofthemeasurestheyneedtotaketocomplywithhealthandsafetylaw.Theregulationsalsocontainarequirementonallemployerswhoshareaworkplacetoco-operatewitheachotherandco-ordinatethestepstheytaketocomplywithhealthandsafetylaw.

The Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977providealegalframeworkforemployersandtradeunionstoreachagreementonarrangementsforsafetyrepresentativesandsafetycommitteestooperateintheirworkplace.Theregulationsalsoconfercertainrightsonsafetyrepresentatives.

The Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996requireemployerstoconsultworkerswhoarenotmembersofatradeuniononmattersaffectingtheirhealthandsafety.Atradeunionmayagreetorepresenttheinterestsofnon-membersonhealthandsafetymatters.



The Noise at Work Regulations 1989setoutwhathastobedonetopreventhearingdamagecausedbyloudnoiseatwork.Thegeneralaimoftheregulationsistoreducetheriskofhearingdamagetothelowestlevelreasonablypracticable.Ifexposureislikelytoreachoneofthethreeactionlevelsintheregulations(iedailypersonalexposureof85or90dB(A),orapeaksoundpressureof200pascals)itmustbeassessedbyacompetentpersonsothatactioncanbetaken.Asfaraspossible,engineeringcontrolmeasuresshouldbeusedtoreduceexposuretonoise,ratherthanearprotectors.



Where can I get further information?Priced publications

Management of health and safety at work: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Approved Code of PracticeL21SecondeditionHSEBooks2000ISBN0717624889

Managing contractors: A guide for employers: An open learning bookletHSEBooks1997ISBN0717611965(aimedatsmalltomedium-sizedchemicalcompanies,butwillbeofusetootherindustriesandlargercompanies)

Managing risk - adding value: How big firms manage contractual relations to reduce riskHSEBooks1998ISBN0717615367

The costs of accidents at workSecondeditionHSG96HSEBooks1997ISBN0717613437

Essentials of health and safety at workHSEBooks1999ISBN071760716X

Safety representatives and safety committeesL87HSEBooks1996ISBN0717612201

A guide to the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996: Guidance on RegulationsL95HSEBooks1996ISBN0717612341

Reducing noise at work: Guidance on the Noise at Work Regulations1989HSEBooks1998ISBN0717615111

JointAviationAuthoritiesJoint Aviation Requirements. JAR-OPS 1 Commercial Air Transportation (Aeroplanes)

CivilAviationAuthorityAirside Safety ManagementCAP642CivilAviationAuthority1995ISBN086039610X



Free publications

Five steps to risk assessmentINDG163(rev)HSEBooks1998Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN0717615650

Five steps to information, instruction and trainingINDG213LHSEBooks1996Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN071761235X

Consulting employees on health and safety: A guide to the lawINDG232LHSEBooks1996

Working together: Guidance on health and safety for contractors and suppliersINDG268HSEBooks1998Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN0717615480

Managing health and safety: Five steps to successINDG275HSEBooks1998

Ear protection: Employers’ duties explainedINDG298HSEBooks1999Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN0717624845

Health and safety benchmarking: Improving togetherINDG301HSEBooks1999Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN0717624943

Need help with health and safety? Guidance for employers on when and how to get advice on health and safetyINDG322HSEBooks2000Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN0717617904

Stating your business: Guidance on preparing a health and safety policy document for small firmsINDG324HSEBooks2000Singlecopiesfree,multiplecopiesinpricedpacksISBN0717617998

HSEpricedandfreepublicationsareavailablebymailorderfromHSEBooks,POBox1999,Sudbury,SuffolkCO102WA.Tel:01787881165.Fax:01787313995.Websitewww.hsebooks.co.uk

HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefromgoodbooksellers.

ForotherenquiriesringHSE’sInfolineTel:08701545500,orwritetoHSE’sInformationCentre,BroadLane,SheffieldS37HQ.Website:www.hse.gov.uk

CAApublicationsareavailablefromWestwardDocumediaLimited,37WindsorStreet,Cheltenham,GlosGL522DG.Tel:01242235151.Fax:01242584139.Copiesofthecataloguecanbeobtainedatwww.documedia.co.uk

CopiesofJAApublicationscanbeobtainedfromTechnicalIndexesLtd,WilloughbyRoad,Bracknell,Berkshire,RG128DW.Tel:01344426311.Fax:01344424971.Websitewww.avdataworks.com



References1 Basedon1998/99reportsofaccidentstoHSEundertheReportingof

Injuries,DiseasesandDangerousOccurrencesRegulations1995(accident rateisthenumberofaccidentsper100000employees)

2 The costs of accidents at workSecondeditionHSG96HSEBooks1997 ISBN0717613437

3 CivilAviationAuthority Airside Safety ManagementCAP642CivilAviation Authority1995ISBN086039610X

4 R vs Associated Octel Co Ltd[1996]1WLR1543

5 Managing risk - adding value. How big firms manage contractual relations to reduce riskHSEBooks1998ISBN0717615367

6 JointAviationAuthoritiesJoint Aviation Requirements.JAR-OPS1Commercial Air Transportation (Aeroplanes)

Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyofthereferences listedinthispublication,theirfutureavailabilitycannotbeguaranteed.

Further informationForinformationabouthealthandsafetyringHSE’sInfolineTel:08453450055Fax:08454089566Textphone:08454089577e-mail:[email protected],CaerphillyBusinessPark,CaerphillyCF833GG.

HSEpricedandfreepublicationscanbeviewedonlineororderedfromwww.hse.gov.ukorcontactHSEBooks,POBox1999,Sudbury,SuffolkCO102WATel:01787881165Fax:01787313995.HSEpricedpublicationsarealsoavailablefrombookshops.

BritishStandardscanbeobtainedinPDForhardcopyformatsfromtheBSIonlineshop:www.bsigroup.com/ShoporbycontactingBSICustomerServicesforhardcopiesonlyTel:02089969001e-mail:[email protected].

TheStationeryOfficepublicationsareavailablefromTheStationeryOffice,POBox29,NorwichNR31GNTel:08706005522Fax:08706005533e-mail:[email protected]:www.tso.co.uk(Theyarealsoavailablefrombookshops.)StatutoryInstrumentscanbeviewedfreeofchargeatwww.opsi.gov.uk.

PublishedbyHSE02/10 Page22of22


Documents

HSE Aircraft Turnround HSG209