The just concluded, Airport Council International (ACI), Aviation Safety Week organised by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Safety Department in Lagos, saw stakeholders applauding the ‘Behind-The-Scene Safety Staff,’ as a major force behind safety in the Industry.
According to them, acknowledging this calibre of staff would motivate them to more dedication and hard work.
The event tagged, ‘Promoting Staff Working Behind the Scenes for Aviation Safety,’ had several paper presentations and a panel of discussion that x-rayed the challenges faced by aviation security staff (AVSEC).
The Managing Director, Chief Executive of FAAN), Mr. Kabir Yusuf, IAP and the General Manager, Safety Services, Mr. Nath McAbraham-Inajoh, applauded the staff of the authority located at various parts of the nation’s airports, who work behind the scene to ensure safety.
In his keynote address at the climax of the 2023 FAAN Safety Week, Kabir said “Safety is the key component of this industry, and those who work backstage to ensure that there is zero harm, and zero casualties must be lauded.
“I sincerely appreciate your time and effort and value even more your future support in taking safety in the aviation sphere to the next level.”
Kabir, who was represented by FAAN Director of Aviation Security (AVSEC) Services, Group Captain Usman Abubakar (Rtd) said: “We as FAAN will continue to support the activities of the Safety Services team as part of our commitment to ensuring a customer-centric experience.
“As this year has shown, things will not always be rosy, and it is only in unity of purpose that success can be achieved. We will constantly be tested in our management and handling of situations that will arise involving those who are within the Aviation Industry, and those who are without. It is how we rise to the occasion in handling these issues, while upholding our values and ideals that sets us apart.”
Talking about incidents and accidents relating to fuel, McAbraham-Inajoh, disclosed that FAAN has set up fueling safety teams and given n=them training also.
He commended the personnel that work behind the scene and encouraged them to continue in the good work.
Presenting a paper tagged, ‘Aviation Safety Sensitisation and Airside Awareness,’ Mr. Taiwo Olugbenga, identified accident causes as FODs, runway incursion, runway/taxiway excursion, inadequate staff training, birds/wildlife strikes, poor grass management, poor habitat modification and inadequate inspection, amongst other causes.
He called for development of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and good incident data management as part of Aerodrome Operations SMS.
In the second presentation on Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) and Emergency Planning Response Awareness, Mr. Abdullahi Umar said “The operational objective of the RFFS should be to achieve response times of two minutes and not exceeding three minutes to the end of each runway, as well as to any other part of the movement area, in optimum conditions of visibility and surface conditions.
“Response time is considered to be the time between the initial call to the RFFS and the time when the first responding vehicle(s) is (are) in position to apply foam at a rate of at least 50 per cent of the discharge rate.
According to him, “A single organisation on its own is unable to provide a quick, efficient, and effective response. The need for coordination, cooperation and collaboration between the major stakeholders is key.”
“The aviation industry is impressive but has many risks and challenges. That’s why we must appreciate the people who work hard to keep us safe and secure every time we fly. One of these groups is the emergency planning, Rescue and Firefighting Service (RFFS) personnel. They are the heroes, always ready to respond to emergencies.
“They deserve our gratitude, respect and support for their crucial role in protecting the flying public. They also need the best resources, equipment and facilities to do their job well and safely. By celebrating the staff who work behind the scenes for aviation safety, we can boost their morale, motivation and performance and raise the safety culture and standards in aviation,” he concluded.
An Aviation Security (AVSEC) Instructor, Doctor Hope Bassey, in her presentation hinged the major hazards of AVSEC duties as shortage of manpower leading to stress that ends in ill-health and untimely death, threats by both passengers and staff, aircraft noise, vagaries of weather, sensitive materials (touch, smell), frequent bending to load bags into the x-ray machine, and frisking numerous passengers (pat-down), among other.
To mitigate the hazards, she recommended industry countermeasures like ICAO Conventions (technical), Security Programmes (legislative) Access Control (Physical), Screening and Protection of Aircraft.
“Most proactive hazards identification methods are Surveys, Audits, Inspections, Tests, Workplace inspection Checklist with relevant industry hazards,” she said.
Medical Expert, Doctor Temilade Adeniyi, while presenting a paper on ‘Occupational Health & Safety,’ said factors affecting welfare and psyche of workers are job stress, remuneration, interpersonal relationships and leadership style in the organisation, job satisfaction and security. Outside factors are separation, divorce, pregnancy, new child illness, death, among others.
He said mental disorders such as behavioural disorders, mood disorders, depression, anxiety and so on affect workers and called for interventions such as employee orientation, periodic mental health evaluations, proper placement of staff into suitable roles, sick and paternity leave, bereavement counselling, retirement counselling and improving mental health awareness.
He further said that health safety reduces the cost of doing business and makes workers feel safe, “safety is no accident,” he said.
The event featured a panel session where discussants moderated by Mr. Joshua Morakinyan with Mrs. Nosa Aituamen, Mr. Chinedu Eze, Mr. Abdullahi Umar and Mr. E. Ekanem as members.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards to the key experts that presented papers.