GHOST
MEETING
SUMMARY - CE UKFSC
·
The GHOST Agenda
·
Under Item 1, the Chairman reminded the
meeting of the significant costs created by ground damage to aircraft – in the
region of $10Bn per year. He then canvassed attendees for suggestions on any
additional ground safety companies who could be invited to join the Group.
Item 2 - Review of
Minutes
·
In reviewing the Minutes, the
Item 3 – Focal Point
Reports
·
Data Sub-Group
o
Aviation
safety review will be published on the
o
The number of
§
Reporting continues to suffer from the fear
factor – do we need a honest broker in GH agents to build employee trust in
non-punitive reporting?
o
Poor language capability and education levels of
many ground handlers are major obstacles to reductions in accident and incident
rates.
·
Loading Sub-Group
o
More handling agent Reps are being sought for
the SG – a Rep from a new starter company would be an especially welcome
addition.
o
There is a possibility that a
o
A
o
A
o
A De-icing
o
Some form of tie-up with the Training Sub-Group
as a united approach was suggested – but speed was considered key; awareness is
the primary aim rather than training.
o
The latest iteration of the
o
Feedback from handlers on loading errors and how
these are being dealt with is being collected by
o
The paucity of
o
This area is ripe for much greater work and
emphasis amongst agents and airlines
o
Work to publicise and exchange information on
ground incidents and reporting is required. Recommendations were invited from
the meeting on methods to improve the conveyance of the message.
·
There is an urgent need for greater regulation,
management and supervision of ground handling agents
·
A GH standard would be an important
contribution; IATA is trying to promote ISAGO as one solution to address the
audit requirement. There are difficulties with the ISAGO project which are
reported under the Regulatory Sub-Group section.
GH Training Sub-Group
·
Report to follow
Regulatory Subgroup
·
The ISAGO programme is in a
degree of trouble – liability issues surround the offset of responsibility
since an ISAGO audit does not absolve responsibility from the third party
contracting company
·
If a non-compliance is raised during an ISAGO
audit, the auditors will not pull out of a contract if they find a major
problem, unlike a contracting airlines who will. Moreover, a non-compliance can
take ISAGO auditors 6 months to publicise.
·
Thus, ISAGO is progressing very slowly and may
stop altogether.
·
Changes to protective clothing
requirements to be added into the
·
Advice about actions when approaching aircraft
with engines running will be added.
·
Driver permits are being reviewed – medical
standards considered too excessive.
·
Lighting requirements are being looked at for
manoeuvre and stand areas – whenever aircraft are parked in the stand area,
current lighting is found to be ineffective.
·
Regulation on stand lighting is difficult to
change but does need attention.
·
The size of area made available to ground
handlers on stand is being reviewed by the
Item 4 -
·
The GHOST website is under
development and should be on line in Summer 09
·
Incident Reporting opportunities will be
provided on the site.
·
Useful links to other relevant
ground handling sites and information will be provided whilst other useful
contributions and suggestions for the website would be welcomed.
Item 5 - TORs and Deliverables
·
Dels – Data SG
o
Ramp occurrence and incidents is in place.
o
Provide stats to the Group.
·
Dels – Loading Errors
o
GH
o
Incident and causal factors and trend analysis
reports back to the groups.
o
Draft
·
Dels - Trg SG
o
Report to be sought
o
Guidance material on ramp design is in hand
·
Dels on RegulatorySG
o
Update to group will be provided but limited by
transfer to EASA.
Revisions for 2009
·
Introduce a forum for open exchange and
expressions of concern (AOB) – use to
circulate for comment via the web and to drive future debate at the meeting.
·
Increase sharing of best practice.
Item 6 - ECAST Working Group
·
The Chair would report back to
the group on the outcome of the ECAST GS Wg.
·
The importance for the GHOST to get involved in
EASA to influence regulation,
Item 7 - AOB
·
Escort to aircraft on the
ground is not always being carried out in accordance with the regulation and
needs attention and rectification at some airports/airlines.
o
There are several similar safety incidents going
unreported and hence the lack of focus upon correcting it.
·
Concern was expressed about the lack of
oversight of
·
A FODCOM has been issued to raise awareness
about two recent serious fire incidents involving motorised wheelchairs in
aircraft holds.
Rich Jones
Chief Executive
UKFSC