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PMS 530-1

Operations

Airtanker Base Risk Assessments

Facilities | Hot Loading | Operations | Simultaneous Fueling and Loading


SYSTEM:  Airtanker Base, Operations

Sub-System Hazards Pre-Mitigation Mitigation Post-Mitigation

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Probability

Severity

Risk Level

Retardant Loading Lack of adequate spill prevention/mitigation equipment on site and the knowledge to use it

Almost Certain

Moderate

High

Provide base operations (both agency/vendor) with approved HazMat storage and containment facilities/equipment. Solicit for national contracts to provide portable hazmat storage facilities for incidents. Provide hands on training.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Slips/falls from retardant on ramp

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Ensure all retardant spills are cleaned up as soon as possible. Flag off area if necessary. Communicate hazard among all ramp personnel until cleaned up.

Unlikely

Negligible

Low

Tripping over hoses

Possible

Critical

High

Ensure only authorized personnel are allowed onto ramp area during loading operations. Wear close-toed shoes with non-skid soles. Keep hoses confined to the safe area whenever possible. Keep wash-down hoses secured when not in use. 

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Falling or slipping from working around areas that are wet or slippery from retardant

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Wear appropriate footwear with non-skid soles.  Clean up all spills immediately. Flag or sign areas that may be slippery. Train employees on using caution around retardant on ramp areas.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Aircraft settles when loading retardant

Likely

Moderate

High

Train loaders that aircraft may settle as retardant is being loaded. Ensure no one is standing directly under the aircraft during loading operations.

Unlikely

Negligible 

Low

Unfamiliar with aircraft to be loaded

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

All personnel involved in the loading of aircraft will receive an orientation briefing for that aircraft to include aircraft loading port valve connection and loading operation. Each specific aircraft type will shut down prior to the first load at a new base each season. For SEATs ensure to brief on loading hand signals.

Possible

Moderate

Medium

Aircraft is overfilled with retardant

Possible

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Pilot will complete load calculation before each flight. Ensure aircrew's requested load amount is communicated to the loaders. All personnel involved in loading will be familiar with hand signals and any electronic load monitoring for each aircraft. All LAT and VLAT loads will be measured in pounds through a mass flow meter and the average density will be validated per the Mix Factor Table. If aircraft is overfilled, pilot and ATBM will IMMEDIATELY be informed.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Training Not all mixers (MXMS) and loaders (RTCM) are adequately trained and qualified

Possible

Critical

High

Ensure all contractors and agency mixers and loaders are trained adequately, following approved training requirements. Provide additional Mixmaster training to agency personnel.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Lack of knowledge and experience in ramp operations

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Conduct standardized ramp management training and review the base operations plan. Consider developing a ramp orientation packet.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Environment Blowing dust/debris

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Wear eye protection in and around the ramp area.  Establish a foreign object debris (FOD) detection program. Inspect ramp and surrounding areas continuously for objects that may be blown into the air by aircraft prop/jet blast. Ensure all containers have secured lids or tie downs in place to prevent dispersal of trash/debris. Ensure all equipment and aircraft within the taxi area are secured.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Poor visibility

Possible

Critical

Extremely High

Wear high-visibility clothing or vests while on the ramp. Use lighted wands for FWPTs during low-visibility or low-light operations for all aircraft movements. Follow VFR (SEATs) or IFR minimums. Visibility can change throughout the day for multiple reasons, monitor visibility conditions. Consider stopping or moving base operations in the event that visibility is becoming poor.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

High ambient temperatures on ramp

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Provide adequate hydrating fluids (water and Gatorade) for all personnel working outside. Allow adequate time for breaks inside air conditioned or shaded areas. Utilize time between aircraft to rest and cool down.

Possible

Moderate

Medium

Extreme weather conditions

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Confirm weather information resources are available and information is shared. Ensure that red-flag warnings, fire weather and extreme weather concerns are communicated. Ensure there are continual updates on changing weather conditions shared between pilots, base managers, dispatchers, etc. Go/No-Go is pilot decision. Stop operations on ramp until conditions improve. If extreme weather is in the operating area, consider halting operations and/or moving aircraft out of the area until conditions clear.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Aircraft Hazards Noise from running engine(s)

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Provide noise canceling hearing protection for all personnel on the ramp. Segregate ground crews from running engines. Operate within the safety area around engines. Participate in the Hearing Conservation Program.

Unlikely

Negligible

Low

Heat from running engine(s).

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Operate within the safety area around engines. Train and educate personnel in situational awareness. Try to avoid working around the APU exhaust.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Walking into propellers/too close to jet engines

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Never walk through a propeller arc, even when engine is shut down. Do not walk under the wing at any time. Operate within the safety area around engines.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Velocity of jet blast/prop wash from running engine(s)

Possible

Critical

High

Separate ground crews from running engines.  Operate within the safety area around engines. Train and educate personnel in situational awareness. Secure loose objects within the vicinity. Turn your back and brace yourself if you cannot leave the area.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Management Lack of follow-up on annual base reviews

Likely

Moderate

High

Coordinate with appropriate agency personnel to ensure issues are mitigated as necessary. Delegate remediation and responsibilities to base management and supervisors. Adhere to agency policy and OSHA requirements.

Unlikely

Negligible

Low

Span of control

Almost Certain

Critical

Extremely High

Ensure that base operation's plans address span of control and identify trigger points and contingencies to handle events where it is exceeded. Order additional personnel during high fire activity. Train local staff to assist. Comply with SABO.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Policy deviation

Possible

Critical

High

Reinforce and emphasize to base managers, aircraft managers and contractors their responsibility to communicate with local and state/regional aviation management, National Aviation Office, COs, CORs, etc. when questions and issues arise. Identify the circumstance causing deviation and mitigate to prevent future deviation. File SAFECOM as necessary.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Multiple agencies with differing standards

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Recommend continued development and implementation of Interagency Standards for Airtanker Base Operations, involving all agencies in development of standards.

Possible

Critical

High

Aircraft and base managers are not following the return to contract availability procedures

Almost Certain

Moderate

High

Agency personnel need to follow return to contract availability procedures in the SABO. Only Aviation maintenance Inspectors can return aircraft to contract availability. Base/aircraft manager notifies dispatch, COR and local FAO/UAM of any maintenance issues causing the aircraft to be out of service.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Human Factors Ground support personnel fatigue

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Adhere to established work-rest policy/guidelines and promote additional off-time when possible. Request additional staffing and/or detailers during peaks of high fire activity. Ensure adequate facilities and supplies are available.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Acceptance of risk as normal

Likely

Catastrophic

Extremely High

Emphasize importance of situational awareness as a means to recognizing risk. Provide risk management training for all personnel. Ensure thorough briefings/debriefings with special attention to risk management and preventing future accidents. Utilize risk assessments, JHAs, SMS, GARs, etc., to assist in mitigating risk. 

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

Poor Crew Resource Management (CRM) with crew rotations

Likely

Critical

Extremely High

Make effort to ensure that all relief personnel arrive with enough time for an adequate briefing from personnel being relieved. Provide recurring training on CRM for aircrews and base personnel (agency and contractor).

Possible

Critical

High

Changes in standard operating procedures not known

Likely

Moderate

High

Review agency policy documents annually and watch for changes occurring throughout the year. Management should notify appropriate personnel in a timely manner of program and policy changes. Be flexible and adapt to changing environments, policy, procedures, circumstances etc.

Unlikely

Moderate

Medium

Conflicting personalities resulting in hazardous attitudes

Possible

Critical

High

If individuals cannot professionally resolve differences, managers and supervisors must intervene immediately. Brief/debrief, employ CRM, provide and receive honest and objective feedback, maintain positive attitude. Maintain professionalism and mission focus at all times.

Unlikely

Critical

Medium

 

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Last Modified / Reviewed:

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