Safety Tips for Aircraft Hangars

The Hangar Floor

Electrical cords and air hoses can clutter aircraft hangar floors, which creates tripping hazards. To mitigate this, use overhead retractable reels when possible and cover cords with duct tape or carpet pieces. Establish safety lanes for clear movement and properly store personal tools, rollaway boxes, work stands, maintenance stands, hoses, electrical cords, hosts, crates and boxes.

Electrical Safety

Whenever electrical equipment is involved in a work area, certain safety hazards ensue. To safely work with electricity, there are two must-haves: educated technicians and the usage of proper safety equipment. According to the FAA, fear and overconfidence are the major causes of most electrical-related work accidents. By educating technicians on the principles of electricity and promoting the proper respect for electricity’s capability to do work and damage will mitigate accidents. Workers should also always use rubber gloves, safety glasses and grounded safety mats when working with electricity.

Fire

Keeping areas around electrical work and electrical equipment clean, uncluttered and free of all unnecessary flammable substances can greatly reduce the chances of a fire. The FAA recommends close monitoring of the condition of electrical equipment as well as repair and replacement of damaged equipment.

Big Machines

There are many machines MRO technicians work with that could cause work injury; these include lathes, drill presses, grinders and other large machinery that is used to work on aircraft. The FAA urges placement of these machines in designated areas and using them with the proper safety equipment.

Foreign Object Damage (FOD)

FOD can harm aircraft, personnel and equipment. To control FOD, the FAA urges keeping ramp and operation areas clean, following a tool control program and providing convenient receptacles for used hardware, shop towels and other consumables.