MAINTENANCE MINUTE By Mark Tyler
As I sat at my desk contemplating what to write for this issue’s article, I received news that two Delta Air Lines mechanics had died and one mechanic was severely injured when a tire exploded in their shop. What a tragic accident, and my heart goes out to their families and to the Delta family. This accident hit close to home, and it got me thinking about how dangerous our career field can be at times.
Workplace safety is no joke. There are numerous ways for us mechanics to get hurt while working on or near aircraft. OSHA lists falls as the leading cause of injury. OSHA also defines a severe injury as one requiring amputation, inpatient hospitalization, or the loss of an eye. When I stop and look around the hangar and on the ramp, I see mechanics working from stands, on top of helicopters, and at the hydraulic press; using sheet metal tools; and performing rotor track and balance. There is so much possibility for injury. So, how do we mitigate these possibilities and keep everyone safe?
Making “Safety First” a priority brings continued awareness and managerial support to this initiative and creates a safety culture. Let’s examine a few other initiatives that, when practiced, will enhance safety culture and place a roadblock in front of accidents.
Safety and accident prevention must be communicated to bring awareness. Weekly maintenance meetings should include safety issues and any close-call events. Create a plan for operational checks and groundwork. Ensure that tools and equipment are functioning properly. Next, there should always be accountability.
20 Sept/Oct 2024
This is another way of saying “I’ve got your back.” Watch out for one another. If you see something, say something. If your coworker is not wearing PPE when needed, then call it out – in a professional manner, of course. If you see someone who is not following proper procedure, call that out as well; we’re all in this together. Finally, embrace the near miss; it is a gift! A near miss should be documented and investigated. Determine its root cause. Discuss it and bring it to light to increase the chance it will never happen again, and to prevent an accident or incident. You heard
correctly...the near-miss is a gift because it reveals a deficiency without anyone suffering injury.
A safe work environment is everyone’s responsibility. My company has an employee health and safety manual. There is a safety team consisting of people from every discipline. We have a weekly meeting that addresses safety issues, and we embrace the near miss to the extreme. It sounds like a lot, but there is always room for improvement because an accident, incident or injury is always lurking in the shadows. Prevention should be on the lookout. Remember, the goal is for everyone to go home to their family, safely.
About the author: Mark Tyler dedicated the majority of his career to serving the helicopter EMS community, from base mechanic to director of maintenance. As vice president and general manager of Precision Aircraft Services, Tyler now serves helicopter operators from many sectors, including air ambulance, law enforcement, private owners, etc. When not at work, he can be found spending time with his family or sitting in a tree stand.
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