Personal protective equipment (PPE): high visibility clothing for airport workers
- Introduction
- Risk assessment
- Selection of HV clothing
- Special circumstances
- Other duties of employers
- Duties of employees
- References and further information
- British Standards
Air Transport Sheet No 1
HSE Information Sheet
Introduction
At airports there are many potential risks to workers; in particular, the risk of being struck by moving aircraft or airside vehicles. Control measures, such as the design of aircraft stands, roadways and parking areas that physically segregate people from moving aircraft and their support vehicles should go a long way to reducing the risk. In addition, maintenance of vehicle brakes, lights, rear view mirrors etc can also help reduce risk, as may driver training and use of safe driving techniques. Nevertheless, certain groups of workers have to work very near to aircraft and vehicles and additional precautions are needed for their safety.
It is essential that all airside workers are well trained to be aware of the hazards around them and the measures needed to avoid them. Employers can further reduce the risk of their employees being struck by providing them with high visibility (HV) clothing so that they stand out as much as possible from their surroundings.
Risk assessment
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 require employers to assess the risks to their employees. Employers' risk assessments should identify all the airside tasks for which the workers will need HV clothing. Employers should also ensure that the clothing is not only suitable for the task but that it will be worn when required.
The selection and use of HV clothing are covered by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. In practice, this means that HV clothing will be mandatory for the majority of people whose work involves them spending time in or around aircraft. Workers in this category will include aircraft marshallers, loaders, baggage handlers, and refuelling engineers. Occasional visitors to these areas, such as the flight crew performing pre-flight checks, security staff, supervisors and managers, will also need to be considered.
Remember: HV clothing and other personal protective equipment (PPE) are always the last line of defence. Wherever possible other measures to reduce or control the risks should be adopted first.
Selection of HV clothing
The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 require many factors to be taken into account to ensure that the correct clothing is chosen for a particular task.
Is it suitable for the risk?
Choice of clothing should take into account ambient and
artificial lighting conditions at the workplace, and the effect
of conditions such as fog and snow.
For some jobs an HV waistcoat, for example, may be all that is needed, but those workers who are particularly at risk, eg from moving aircraft (ground engineers, marshallers or runway maintenance workers), may need full body HV clothing so that they are as visible as possible to the pilot who is likely to be some distance away. HV clothing should provide adequate protection both during the day and at night, as well as in adverse weather. As a rule: the darker the conditions or worksite, the greater the amount of HV clothing required.
To be effective HV clothing should be of a colour that will allow the wearer to stand out against the ambient background found in the working environment. In practice the best colours for this purpose are likely to be day-glo, or fluorescent yellow. Where necessary the clothing should also incorporate retroreflective material to make the wearer visible when seen in headlights in poor lighting conditions or during darkness. This may require reflective strips at or below waist level on waistcoats or jackets, or strips on trousers.
Is it suitable for the job?
People working in aircraft holds may find that some types of
loose fitting tabard may snag on parts of the aircraft fuselage
or moving machinery parts. Also HV coats may be too warm in
summer months, in which case, waistcoats or overalls with the
appropriate HV qualities could be supplied.
Remember: PPE must always be suitable for the
work; if the way of working changes - check that the PPE is still
suitable.
Is it suitable for the wearer?
HV clothing should be comfortable and fit the wearer properly. It
should cause the minimum of restriction in the wearers
movement.
Is it compatible with other forms of PPE?
If two or more types of PPE are worn, they should not interfere
with each other. Therefore, in the case of aircraft servicing
staff for example, protective clothing for chemical spills should
also provide the necessary level of conspicuity. Similarly, wet
or cold weather clothing should have suitable HV qualities or be
capable of being worn under HV garments.
Are there any standards which the clothing should meet?
HV clothing should be manufactured to a recognised standard. The
new British Standard for high visibility warning clothing is BS
EN 471. This is a harmonised European standard produced with the
legal requirements for PPE in mind. Clothing which conforms to
the standard is marked with a pictogram like this:
The first number (X) indicates the class of conspicuity, this depends on the minimum area of conspicuous materials that are incorporated into the clothing, with Class 3 being the best and Class 1 the lowest; the second number (Y) indicates the retroreflection performance with Class 2 being more visible than Class 1 when seen in headlights during darkness. The standard gives specifications for coveralls, jackets, waistcoats, tabards, trousers and harnesses.
From July 1995, new clothing must be 'CE' marked to show it meets the new European rules on the manufacture of PPE. Remember: the CE mark only means that the clothing meets the standard. It does not mean it can be used in all situations. HV clothing must be suitable for the actual conditions of use.
Special circumstances
Aircraft marshallers and movement controllers need to be distinguished from other workers also wearing HV clothing so that they are easily seen by pilots taxiing aircraft onto stands. Airport licensees and operators may consider specifying a particular design of HV clothing for these workers that incorporates, for example, fluorescent patches or stripes of a different colour to that normally used by other workers. Means by which members of the emergency services can be identified should also be considered.
Other duties of employers
You must:
- provide any HV clothing needed for the job free of charge to any employees who may be exposed to significant risks to their safety;
- maintain HV clothing in a clean state and in good working order. It should be checked before being given to employees;
- provide storage facilities for clothing when not in use;
- provide adequate information, instruction and training to enable employees to use HV clothing correctly. This should include an explanation of the risks, why the clothing is needed, how and when it should be worn; and
- supervise employees to ensure that they wear the clothing correctly and whenever it is needed.
Duties of employees
Employees should wear the HV clothing provided as instructed by your employer. Look after clothing issued to you, check for and report any damage or defects to your employer. Use the storage facilities provided when the clothing is not in use. Remember: damaged or ill-fitting clothing will not protect you properly.
References and further information
Priced publications
Management of health and safety at work: Approved Code of Practice L21 HSE Books 1992 ISBN 0 7176 0412 8
Personal protective equipment at work: guidance on regulations L25 1992 ISBN 0 7176 0415 2
Free publications
Five steps to risk assessment IND(G) 163L
The above publications are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 6FS; Tel: 0787 881165; Fax: 0787 313995: priced publications are also available from Dillons Bookstores or any good booksellers.
British Standards
British Standard BS EN 471 High visibility clothing 1994
British Standards are available from the British Standards Institution, Sales Department, 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 9AL; Tel: 0181 996 7000; Fax: 0181 996 7001.
This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.
This publication may be freely reproduced, except for advertising, endorsement or sale purposes. The information it contains is current at 11/94. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
Published by the Health and Safety Executive 11/94 C50
Added to the HSE web site 2704/98
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