AVIATION SAFETY - Flight Line Safety

FLIGHT LINE SAFETY

1. Introduction: Most of us don’t deal with the flight line environment but for those of us who do, here are some solid tips to keep in mind when entering a flight line. The flight line can be a dangerous environment and one of the primary concerns during any flight line operation is SAFETY. No activity should compromise our personnel’s safety at any time. Personnel on the flight line should be proactive and stop any unsafe activity on the flight line.

2. Hazards: Here are some of the more common hazards that may be encountered on the flight line.
♦ Lifting heavy baggage and litters.
♦ Tripping hazards such as electrical cables, grounding cables and tie-down chains.
♦ Slipping hazards such as oil, hydraulic fluid, grease spills, and weather conditions.
♦ Noise from aircraft

3. Safety Procedures: While on the flight line there are a number of other safety procedures you must observe:
♦ Enter the flight line, and approach the aircraft through an established Entry Control Point
♦ Wait for the aircraft and all engines to come to a complete stop before approaching the aircraft
♦ Wait until receiving authorization from an aircrew member before entering the aircraft Circle of Safety, which is an imaginary line extending 10’ from all areas of the aircraft or, in the case of helicopters, 3 feet outside the main rotor arc. NEVER walk behind a helicopter with a turning tail rotor.
♦ Only authorized vehicles with authorized drivers are permitted to drive on the flight line
♦ NO SMOKING.

4. Dehydration: It is very easy to become dehydrated while working on the flight line. Drink sufficient liquids.

5. Fatigue: Fatigue is a major contributor to many safety incidents and accidents. Ensure that personnel have had sufficient rest to enable them to safely complete their assignments. Flight line personnel will make a conscientious effort to avoid or reduce fatigue by:
♦ Periodic rest breaks.
♦ Periodic light refreshments (e.g., moderate amounts of hot foods, soup, fruit juice).
♦ Sufficient sleep between operation periods
♦ Between surges, take advantage of opportunities to rest in comfortable surroundings.

6. Foreign Object Damage (FOD): Foreign Object Damage (FOD) is a threat to aircraft engines. Foreign objects can be rocks, dirt, hats, paper, trash, bolts, screws, disposable gloves, rags and pens. If any FOD material is seen, it should be picked up and placed in a suitable trash receptacle.

7. Housekeeping: An important practice in any safety program is good housekeeping. Housekeeping in hangers, vehicles and other aircraft is essential to personnel and aircraft safety.
♦ Keep work areas clean and orderly.
♦ Clean up any spills or messes immediately.
♦ Properly dispose of any waste material.

8. Clothing: During cold weather all personnel should have adequate clothing (jackets, gloves, etc.); during warmer temperatures, personnel may dress appropriately.

9. Jewelry: Many severe lacerations and finger amputations have resulted from personnel wearing rings while working around aircraft and ground handling equipment. Personnel should not wear rings, dog tags, necklaces, bracelets, watches, or any other loose items, which could be snagged or caught, while on the flight line.

10. Hats: Hats should be removed when entering a flight line.

11. Hearing Protection
Hearing protection must be worn when working around aircraft and helicopters whose engines are running. This can be accomplished with suitable earplugs or earmuffs.

12. Eye Protection
Eye protection should be worn when operating on the flight line. This protection should be suitable safety glasses with safety side shields. You can get safety glasses that are also sunglasses for sunny days. Goggles are preferred for helicopter operations.

13. Hand Protection
Gloves should be used when lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying baggage and litters.

14. Sun Protection
Flight line personnel should use sunscreen with an SPF at least 15.

15. Flashlights
Flashlights and reflective belts and/or reflective vests are necessary during hours of darkness.

MSgt Dave Shannonhouse, USAFR
Submitted by Atlanta Federal Safety & Health Council

SUMMER OUTDOOR SAFETY - Venomous Spiders in Georgia

Venomous Spiders in Georgia

Only two spiders are dangerous to man, the black widow and the brown recluse, and they both live in Georgia. The bites of these spiders rarely cause death. However, they may cause serious health problems, especially for children, the elderly, and those in poor health.

The female black widow is a black, shiny spider with a red or orange hour glass shape on her belly (underside). The smaller, brown male spider is not poisonous. The black widow spins her web in dark, quiet places - under rocks, debris and woodpiles. Black widows also like attics, cellars, and other damp storage areas. The bite of the black widow may be painful. The venom of the Black Widow is a neurotoxin which causes sustained muscle spasm rather than local tissue injury. Within one hour after being bit, you may experience stomach pain, dizziness, stiffness, and trouble breathing.

For photos of the Black Widow, see http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/spiders/black_widow.asp

The brown recluse spider is a yellowish-tan to dark brown spider. It is about the size of a quarter. The brown recluse has a dark violin-shaped marking on its head. This spider is naturally non-aggressive toward humans and prefers to live in undisturbed attics, woodpiles, and storage sheds, spinning its web in dark, quiet places. Bites occur either when sleeping humans roll onto the spider or put on clothes into which the spider has crawled. Recluse bites range in intensity from no noticeable effect to severe necrosis. The venom can cause severe tissue death at the bite site. Symptoms start 2-6 hours after the bite. Blisters frequently appear at the bite site, accompanied by severe pain and pronounced swelling. A common expression is the formation of a reddish blister, surrounded by a bluish area, with a narrow whitish separation between the red and blue, giving a 'bull's-eye' pattern. By 12-24 hours, it is usually apparent if the bite is going to become necrotic because it turns purple in color. If necrotic symptoms do not express by 48-96 hours, then they will not develop. If the skin turns purple, it will then turn black as cells die. Eventually the necrotic core falls away, leaving a deep pit that gradually fills with scar tissue.

For photos of the Brown Recluse spider, see http://www.surviveoutdoors.com/reference/spiders/brown_recluse.asp


First Aid:
1. Wash the bite site with soapy water.
2. Call the Georgia Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) immediately for more treatment advice.

Safety Tips:
Before dressing, shake out clothing, shoes, and hats that have not been worn for a while. Wear shoes and gloves when getting fire wood, lumber, and other items that have been stored for a long time. Get rid of clutter in basements, closets, attics, and garages. Dust and vacuum around windows, corners of rooms, under furniture, and in storage areas regularly.

SUMMER SAFETY - Heat Index and Heat Related Illness

Summertime and the Living is Easy (Not!)

Summertime is right around the corner Ain’t it great! We all like the summer but the summer season presents a unique set of safety concerns. One of the concerns is heat (imagine that!).

The U.S. National Weather Service Office of Public Affairs, in conjunction with the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency has published the signs of heat related illness, how it can affect you, and what to do to relieve its symptoms. Here are some highlights from their report.

The Heat Index

The Heat Index measures the impact of humidity on the way people feel heat. The higher the humidity, the hotter it feels and the higher the heat index.

Signs of Heat Related Illness

• Sunburn - Redness and pain in the skin. In severe cases there is also swelling, blisters, fever, and headaches.
  
• Heat cramps - Heavy sweating and painful spasms usually in the leg or abdominal muscles.
  
• Heat exhaustion - Weakness, heavy sweating, clammy skin, paleness, and weak and slow pulse. Fainting and vomiting accompanies heat exhaustion.
  
• Heatstroke/sunstroke - High body temperature (106 degrees or higher) along with hot dry skin and a rapid and strong pulse. Unconsciousness is possible.

Heat Index Values and Their Effects

The consequences of overexposure to the summer heat can be especially dangerous for people at higher risk, especially the elderly and the very young. Here are some basic rules of thumb:

• 80 to 90 degree heat index value - Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
  
• 90 to 105 degree heat index value - Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
  
• 105 to 130 degree heat index value - Sunstroke, heat cramps, or heat exhaustion are likely, and heatstroke is possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity.
  
• 130 degree and higher heat index value - Heatstroke/sunstroke is highly likely with continued exposure.

What to do when Heat Waves Strike

• Increase your intake of non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, caffeine-free beverages such as water and juice.
  
• Wear clothing that is light in color and loose fitting.
  
• Avoid the outdoors during extreme heat; stay out of the sun.
  
• Stay in an air-conditioned environment if possible. Shopping malls offer relief if your home is not air-conditioned.
  
• Check on the elderly. They are especially susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
  Eliminate strenuous activity such as running, biking, and lawn care work when it heats up.

For more details that you can use in your agency’s own safety campaign, see http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/heatwave.pdf

Article submitted by Atlanta Federal Safety & Health Council.