Washington — Congestion within airport ramp areas and the dynamic nature of work performed on them “significantly” increase the potential for work-related injuries and deaths, a recent report concludes.
Researchers from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine surveyed airport managers about ramp safety practices, including training, communication with ramp workers, safety culture and data for measuring the performance of airport safety programs.
They also interviewed personnel at eight international and regional airports across the United States and reviewed existing research.
The researchers describe a landscape in which workers from various sectors – including airport employees, airline personnel, construction workers, security and Federal Aviation Administration staff – may be present at airport ramps at any given time. Meanwhile, crews work to complete highly involved tasks such as servicing and fueling aircraft, as well as loading and unloading baggage.
The researchers emphasize in the report that each worker group “plays a crucial role in maintaining smooth and safe operations, with responsibilities varying by airport and operational complexity.”
Survey results from 79 participating airports show that 62% conduct ramp safety inspections, while 48% have regular ramp safety meetings and 43% require refresher safety training.
Suggested strategies to improve ramp safety include:
- Implement safety training programs for workers.
- Establish communication protocols between ramp towers and air traffic control.
- Develop designated traffic flow patterns and policies.
- Integrate technologies such as real-time surveillance and automated ground vehicle tracking.
“Ramp technologies used by workers will continue to evolve as airlines and [ground service providers] seek to make ramp operations more efficient,” the report states.
