Safe Work Environment

Safe work environment is the key to avoid accidents. The Civil Aviation Authority, your aircraft company and your fellow workers expect you to follow safety rules of the company so that the workplace is safe for the aircraft, equipment, fellow workers and passengers.

Safe environment of an aircraft maintenance organization relies on:

• Aircraft design
• Maintenance practices
• Staff recurrence training
• Management and staff safety awareness and responsibilities
• Following regulatory requirements
• Valuing the safety over cost

The following are the company’s responsibility on safety.

• Appointing a safety officer.
• Having an updated company policy on safety.
• Ensuring that the policy is easily accessible when needed.
• Ensuring that the policy is legible and easily understandable by all staff.
• Amending and updating the policy as and when required.

The policy shall contain the procedures and measures to be adopted in the event of:

• Fire
• Fuel, oil, chemical and other spillage
• Accident causing injury
• Violating company security producers
• Any related incidents

The policy also shall contain the safety procedures to be practiced during tasks such as:

• Fuelling and defueling
• Slinging and lifting
• Working at heights
• Towing and taxing aircraft
• Engine running
• Use of equipment and power tools and all related activities

Apart from working procedure and practices, it shall include a request for a written report in the event of accident or incident that may have caused injury to person, and/or damage to aircraft or equipment.

General Personal Safety Precautions

• Ensure all safety notices are updated and displayed regularly for everyone to read.
• Never use mobile phones or other electronic devices that are not approved for maintenance purposes near aircraft.
• Never carry lighters, matches or other ignition sources when at work.
• Never carry loose objects onto an aircraft.
• Never work on aircraft if you feel unfit or under the influence of drugs, alcohol and medication.
• Never carry out a task that you are unsure of or unqualified to do.
• Never carry out a task without the right equipment and aircraft maintenance manuals.
• Ensure you have referred and completed all the required paperwork for a task.
• Never take short cut or unnecessarily rush anything in the maintenance areas.
• Wear appropriate clothing and accessories that does not affect the task in-hand.
• Wear safety shoes and do not wear shoes with metal studs.
• Use barrier cream on hands or the body parts that might come into contact with oils, greases, lubricants and other irritable materials. Avoid contact with industrial fluids. Immediately wash off any fluids with soap and seek medical advice if it irritates your skin. If splashed in the eyes, rinse with water or preferably an eye bath.
• Avoid breathing in any fumes from chemicals. Use respirator if you are required to work in those areas.
• Maintain a tool checklist and ensure the tools and equipment are correctly accounted after every shift.
• Ensure workspace is clean and free from any clutters. Use vacuum cleaner to remove small debris such as rivets, drill bits, etc.