---

Safety background: Visual appeal

Safety techniques come in all formats: here we look at the DVD.

Last year (see Ground Handling International, October 2010) we profiled the work of Global Visual Solutions. Readers may recall that Mark Coogan had decided to change the way safety was presented to the workforce and to that end he began to utilise the medium of specially-shot film. By all accounts the idea has been well-received by the sector.
Thus it will come as no surprise to learn that other bodies have started to look at the use of film and DVD as a training aid.
From the Bowman Studio comes the Aviation Ground Safety Training Toolkit, which was produced in Australia. This is billed as an advisory type of film and the DVD splits up into several different segments, which themselves divide up further. Thus there are headings for refuelling, airside driving, manual handling, freighters, ESH and PPE and so on, each one further sub-dividing into mini-episodes. These episodes vary in length: some are simply two or three minutes’ duration but others run for much longer, depending upon the subject matter.
There is a very useful section on what to do in the event of a fluid spill on the ramp; and other enlightening sections look at emergency procedures and how to adapt to an airport shut-down. There is also information on dealing with airport construction works and an explanation of the Circle of Safety procedure.
Because the film divides up into bite-sized chunks, it lends itself to viewing between shifts and during quieter periods of the day.
The DVD costs A$250 per copy and can be obtained by e-mail: steve@bowman-studio.com.au Alternatively, this information is also available on the AAGSC website: www.aagsc.org/resources/interactive toolkit

A UK solution
Over 2007-2008 there were more than 1,600 airside accidents logged in the UK, according to Health and Safety Executive figures. With that in mind, a new training DVD has been released to help cut the number of injuries among baggage handlers and other airside workers.
Launched at the RAF Hendon Museum by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the Airport Airside Safety Induction DVD is being offered to airport operators, airlines, baggage handling agents and other airline service providers nationwide. IOSH’s Aviation and Aerospace Group commissioned the film to help workers, in particular new or temporary staff, become more aware about potential hazards when working airside.
The DVD has drawn praise from the HSE and Civil Aviation Authority. To compile the visual recording, IOSH teamed up with East Midlands airport-based operator bmi. The recording includes advice on safety passes, aircraft and hazards to look out for when refuelling.
Bmi’s Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, Keith Merrie, an IOSH member, said that his company welcomed the DVD.
“As one of the UK’s leading airlines, we endeavour to ensure all staff are fully aware of the hazards of working at airside. IOSH’s airside safety DVD will be used as part of our rigorous health and safety training strategy, with the aim of making staff more risk savvy and thus reducing the likelihood of accidents at airside.”
The DVD is available free of charge directly from IOSH’s Aviation and Aerospace Group.
To request a copy (for those who work in the industry), simply e-mail: networks@iosh.co.uk

Click here to view details of ramp safety incidents.

Current topic of discussion

Aircraft Damage Statistics - Who are the worst perpetrators independent handlers or airline self handlers? The truth is nobody knows.


Norman Hogwood has put forward the below question.

"Many carriers self-handle and also handle other carriers under IATA's SGHA contract. From my (now somewhat outdated) experience, self-handlers inflict as much damage on their own and contract carriers aircraft as the GH companies. Do you have any stats or other evidence to show that GH's are any worse than the self-handlers and therefore need enhanced training?"


Before an attempt to make anything better it is normally essential to know
what is wrong. This doesn't seem to apply when trying to reduce aircraft
damage as statistical and incident reports are treated like state secrets.
Time and time again at the GHI (Ground Handling International) conferences we discuss the estimated cost to our industry both in financial and human terms, but in reality, we don't know the actual costs or more importantly the damage details. We have been quoting the same figures for the last eight years and it is obvious that something needs to be done. IAHA (International Aviation Handlers' Association) have in the past gathered some statistics from its members and this is indeed a good start but until the majority of handlers contribute to these statistics, the data will not represent the true picture.

Click here to make a comment.