Airside Safety Procedures for Engineers

Before entering the airside operational area, engineers must ensure that all required authorizations are in place.

• A valid aerodrome entry permit (AEP, or the airport’s equivalent pass) is mandatory, with a separate vehicle permit for vehicles
• Work must be supported by an approved permit
• Clearance from ATC / Airfield Operations is required

No engineer should enter an operational area without formal authorization. Unauthorized access is a serious violation and can create significant operational and safety risks.

Appropriate PPE is essential for protecting engineers during airside work. Minimum requirements generally include:

Hearing and eye protection are added where the task or aircraft noise requires. PPE should be considered a basic safety requirement, not an optional precaution.

Airside is a live operational environment. Aircraft, vehicles, maintenance teams, and other airport activities may be operating simultaneously. Engineers must:

• Maintain communication with ATC / Apron Control
• Follow approved work time windows strictly
• Immediately vacate the area when instructed

For runway-related activities, strict adherence to the approved runway closure or work window is particularly critical, including the agreed time to vacate the runway on instruction.

Good coordination ensures that engineering work does not interfere with aircraft operations. On completion, hand the area back to ATC / Operations only after the FOD sweep, with lighting circuits restored and the state of equipment confirmed.

Only authorized vehicles should be permitted to operate airside. Airside vehicles must have:

Engineers and vehicle operators must never cross an active taxiway or runway without the required clearance. Vehicle discipline is essential to maintaining safe aircraft movement areas.

Electrical safety is one of the most critical aspects of AGL maintenance and installation work. AGL circuits typically operate as series circuits with high voltage, so engineers must follow proper electrical isolation procedures before starting work. Key precautions include:

• Always isolate the circuit before starting work
• Follow proper Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures
• Verify the absence of voltage before handling cables
• Use insulated tools and connectors
• Use connectors specified for the circuit (for example FAA L-823 type) and keep them correctly assembled

Never assume that a circuit is de-energized. The circuit must be properly isolated and the absence of voltage verified before work begins. Never open or disconnect an energised series loop, and remember that a CCR can be restarted remotely from the control room or ALCMS: lock out at the CCR itself, and where the aerodrome procedure requires, earth the circuit and discharge cable capacitance before touching conductors.

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) is a major hazard in airport operations. Tools, fasteners, cable pieces, packaging materials, and other loose objects can become dangerous hazards if left on the airside. Engineers should:

• Maintain proper tool accountability
• Avoid leaving loose materials on the airside
• Clean the entire work area before leaving

Even a small object can cause serious aircraft damage. Tool control and FOD prevention must remain part of every airside work activity.

Weather conditions can directly affect both engineering safety and airport operations. Engineers should:

• Avoid working during low-visibility conditions such as fog (Low Visibility Procedures in force) unless specifically permitted
• Suspend outdoor work on AGL circuits during thunderstorms or lightning warnings under the aerodrome’s lightning procedure: lightning can induce dangerous voltages on long airfield cables, even some distance away
• Apply the required earthing and bonding during electrical work

Changing visibility or severe weather can affect personnel movement, aircraft operations, electrical work, and overall site safety — weather should always be considered before and during airside activities.

Every engineer working airside should be familiar with the airport's emergency arrangements, including:

• Emergency contact numbers
• Nearest assembly points
• Fire and rescue procedures

In case of an incident:

Emergency preparedness helps ensure that personnel can respond quickly and correctly when an unexpected situation occurs.

Airside safety requires continuous training and compliance. Regular airside safety training is mandatory, and engineers must follow the applicable:

• ICAO Annex 14 and PANS-Aerodromes provisions on work in the movement area
• Airport-specific SOPs
• DGCA / AAI regulations, and applicable Indian electrical safety requirements (for example CEA safety regulations)

Safety compliance should not be treated as a one-time checklist. It is a continuous process involving training, awareness, discipline, and accountability.

• No engineer should enter airside without a valid pass, an approved permit, and ATC/Operations clearance
• PPE — hi-vis jacket, safety shoes, helmet, gloves, and arc/insulation protection for AGL work — is a baseline requirement, not optional
• Continuous coordination with ATC/Apron Control and strict adherence to the approved runway work window keep engineering work from interfering with aircraft operations
• A circuit should never be assumed de-energized — isolate, follow LOTO, and verify absence of voltage every time
• Tool accountability and FOD control matter because even a small object can cause serious aircraft damage
• Weather, visibility, and grounding discipline must be factored into every airside activity
• Knowing emergency contacts, assembly points, and the stop-inform-follow-protocol sequence enables a fast, correct response
• Compliance with ICAO provisions, airport SOPs, and DGCA/AAI regulations is continuous, not a one-time checklist