Aircraft Safety & Maintenance Practices

• Proper arrangement and upkeep of hangars, shops, and flight lines are essential.
• In workplaces with ongoing work shifts, the incoming technician must satisfactorily complete any work signed for.
• It is crucial to review the repair/maintenance paperwork to verify that all steps have been signed off by the previous technician.
• A face-to-face handover explaining the progress made and pinpointing the exact step where the new technician should continue is required.

Safety Precautions - Aircraft and Workshop

• Be conscious of propellers and never assume the pilot can see the technicians.
• The significance of an FOD (Foreign Object Damage) program cannot be overstated because loose objects propelled with enough force can cause damage.
• Provide convenient receptacles for trash, used hardware, shop towels, and other waste.
• Implement a tool control program to avoid FOD.
• Keep maintenance stands, hoses, electrical cords, hoists, crates, and boxes organized and away from work areas.

Electrical Safety Precautions

• Those lacking the skills to handle electrical equipment safely should not attempt to do so.
• Repair or replace any damaged electrical equipment before further use and closely monitor its condition.
• A lack of respect for electricity is often due to a lack of knowledge.
• Maintain a certain level of respect for electrical equipment, as well as confidence; extremes of either can be deadly.
• Fear and overconfidence are two major causes of electrical accidents.
• When several wires inside a power cord are broken, the current passing through the remaining wires increases, wire coatings can melt, and can lead to fire.
• Keep all power cords, wires, and lines free of kinks and bends which can cause damage.
• An important component in preventing electrical fires is maintaining a clean area around electrical work, since flammable substances can ignite.
• Rubber gloves, safety glasses, rubber or grounded safety mats, and other equipment offer both psychological assurance and physical protection.
• Working knowledge of electricity, respect for its capabilities, and the use of proper safety equipment are necessary to deal with it safely.
• Any current flow produces heat, which can damage affected systems or components.
• Electrical current applied to the human body can create physiological safety hazards, such as severe burns at entry and exit points.
• The nervous system can be affected by electric shock.

Safety Around Helicopters

• Each helicopter type has unique features that maintenance personnel must be aware of.
• Consult the maintenance manual for the proper method when securing the rotor on helicopters with elastometric bearings, as using the wrong method could cause damage or injury.
• When approaching a helicopter while the blades are turning, observe the rotor head and blades to see if they are level.
• Always approach the helicopter in view of the pilot and allow space between it and parked aircraft to prevent it from rolling into the aircraft.
• Ensure all items in the area of operating aircraft are properly stowed.
• Never go from one side of a running helicopter to the other by going around the tail; instead, always go around the nose of the helicopter.
• The tail rotor is typically invisible when operating, and turbine engine intakes and exhaust can be hazardous.
• Never approach a single main rotor helicopter from the rear.
• Avoid carrying anything with flames near an aircraft in operation, and be aware of aircraft fluids which can be harmful to skin.
• Ensure adequate space between operating support equipment and aircraft to prevent blade strikes and personal injury.
• There should be no smoking or open flames anywhere near an aircraft and never place wires or cords where they will be walked on because this will damage the wire.

Safety Around Compressed Gases

• Like electricity, compressed air is an excellent tool if used with extreme caution.
• When inflating tires on any type of aircraft wheels, personal injury and over-inflation can be avoided by using pressure regulators.
• A typical nitrogen bottle set is used for inflation of high-pressure tires.
• Secure compressed gas cylinders to prevent them from falling.
• Use tire dollies and other mounting devices when mounting or removing heavy aircraft tires to prevent possible personal injury during aircraft tire mounting.
• The following apply when working with compressed gases: Ensure compressed gas and servicing equipment are clean and avoid power-on checks and use of the aircraft electrical system.

Oxygen Safety Considerations

• Keep a distance between pure oxygen and petroleum products, because when combined, an explosion can result.
• A variety of maintenance practices should be followed to ensure safety when working with oxygen and oxygen systems, and maintenance should be done outside as much as possible.
• The aircraft maintenance manual warnings and precautions must be followed carefully.
• Before attempting work, an adequate fire extinguisher should be on hand.
• Cordon off the work area and post "NO SMOKING" placards a minimum of 50 feet from the area and on all containers.
• Clean, grease-free hands, clothes, and tools are essential and use only dedicated tools for oxygen components.
• Always use protective caps and plugs when working with oxygen cylinders, system components, or plumbing and never use any kind of adhesive tape.
• Oxygen cylinders should be stored in a designated, cool, ventilated area in the hangar, away from petroleum products or heat sources.
• Oxygen system maintenance should not be accomplished until the valve on the oxygen supply cylinder is closed and pressure is released from the system slowly to allow any residual pressure to dissipate.
• Use filtered air for paint spraying to remove oil and water.
• The system should have water sumps installed and drained regularly.
• In-line oilers should be maintained in operating condition, if installed.
• All connections should be kept in a "no-leak condition".
• Air hoses should be inspected frequently for breaks and worn spots, and unsafe hoses replaced immediately.
• Never spray compressed air in the area of other personnel and avoid using it to clean hands or clothing, because pressure can force debris into the flesh leading to infection.

Safety Around Hazardous Materials

• Performing maintenance on aircraft and their components involves the use of different materials during manufacturing, distributing, and transporting.
• The goal of hazard communication is to ensure the safety of user personnel that come into contact with hazardous chemicals.
• The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was adopted by the European Union in EC 1272/2008 and standardizes hazard communication worldwide.
• A material safety data sheet (MSDS or SDS) contains information for the safe handling, use, storage, and disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals that manufacturers and distributors of these substances provide to users.
• Employers are required to make chemical hazard information available to their employees.
• GHS safety data sheets are accompanied by standardized labeling pictograms or symbols which categorize physical hazards, health hazards, and environmental hazards.

Fire Safety

• Fire extinguishers should be marked to indicate suitability for a particular class of fire and checked periodically, utilizing a checklist.
• Airport fire departments or other local fire departments can provide helpful extinguisher checklists and assistance.
• The checklist for inspection of fire extinguishers as a minimum includes things like:
  • No obvious damage
  • No nozzle obstruction
  • Proper weight
  • All external dirt and rust removed
  • Gauge or indicator in operable range
  • Safety seals unbroken
  • Proper location of appropriate extinguisher
• Dry powder fire extinguishers are useful for Class D fires.
• The function of dry powder fire extinguishers varies, but all expel the powder from the container with force.
• Multipurpose Dry Chemical types may be insufficient for Class 'A' fires
• Dry powder is not recommended for aircraft use (except on metal fires) because the leftover chemical residues and dust often make cleanup difficult.
• Bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211), chemical formula CBrClF2, is a liquefied gas with a UL toxicity rating of 5 and is colorless and noncorrosive.
• EPA has restricted Halon to its 1986 production level due to its effect on the ozone layer.
• Bromotrifluoromethane (Halon 1301), chemical formula CF3Br, is also a liquefied gas with a UL toxicity rating of 6.
• Halon 1211 forms a spray similar to CO2, while Halon 1301 has a vapor spray that is more difficult to direct.

Learn about essential safety measures in aircraft maintenance, including hangar upkeep, shift handovers, and FOD prevention. Understand the importance of tool control, waste management, and awareness around propellers to ensure a safe working environment.