Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration recently conducted a listening session to look at hazards faced by airport ramp workers and explore solutions.
The May 15 forum was intended to foster collaboration and share best safety practices to protect cargo handlers, fuelers, loaders, caterers, marshallers, maintenance workers and other ramp workers. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directed the agency to review ramp worker safety and ways to reduce incidents.
Industry stakeholders offered feedback on improving ramp task scheduling, reassessing staffing needs and appropriate training. Other discussion topics included operational safety, change management and perspectives on ramp worker hazards.
The session included presentations from OSHA; the National Air Transportation Association; the SAE Aeroengine Hazard Zone Committee; Flight Safety International; labor groups; and airline and airport representatives, including those from Nashville International, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta and McGhee Tyson Airport in Eastern Tennessee.
In an online post, FAA says it plans to evaluate the feedback to determine how it supports the Reauthorization Act’s call to action to enhance ramp worker safety.
