Outline for Line Ops

July 8, 2000

Outline for Line Ops

Midcoast manager offers safety tips

By Michael J. Mueller, Director, Operations, Midcoast Aviation

July 2000

Safety is a top priority at Midcoast Aviation and we concentrate on it in many ways. Here are some guidelines we use to ensure safety for all of our customers and employees.

Like other FBOs, Midcoast spends money to train employees, including having line personnel go through NATA's Safety 1st program and sending line service managers, supervisors, and leads to the association's Line Service Supervisor Training course. In addition, every three months Midcoast rewards all departments throughout the company that have maintained a zero accident/incident rate.

Such programs cost dollars, but are paid for through the savings generated by safety. At our FBOs, some of the safety practices in the Operations Department include ...

Towing & Marshaling
• Wing walkers at all times; two wing walkers when moving in hangars or congested areas.
• Whistles required by all ramp personnel (no sounds too much like go). • When marshaling: ... use proper signals
... use light wands at night and in bad weather
... use spotters in congested areas

Personnel Safety
• Have two types of hearing protection available.
• Steel-toed shoes or boots are mandatory.
• Proper uniforms, personal hygiene required.
• Have rubber gloves, eye protection available.
• Emergency eye wash in all fuel trucks and throughout the facility.
• All equipment which is not moving gets chocked.

Quality Control
• Routine quality assurance audits by dedicated personnel ensures all fuel quality standards are met.
• Automatic shutoff on all bulk storage and fuel trucks.
• Proper storage of all chemicals.

Aircraft Servicing
• Proper bonding is required.
• Fuel mats in use.
• Spill response kits available.
• Spotters required when backing close to aircraft.
• Mandatory personal protection equipment and safety harness used during deice operations.

Equipment
• Weekly equipment inspections.
• Daily write-ups worked off by ground service maintenance personnel.
• Any employee can take any unit out of service if in question (when in doubt, check it out).