Airport Ground Support Equipment

DNATA, one of the world’s leading ground handling support companies are leading the way when it comes to ensuring that their fleet of Ground Support Equipment meets all the statutory requirements of current and future legislation, but critically it will ensure that all items of equipment operated airside, that are used and accessed by passengers is both thoroughly examined and is totally safe.

It is also of vital importance that the operations of GSE equipment can drive & operate the equipment in the safe knowledge that it has been inspected and certified by a Competent Person (experienced Engineer). This will ensure all equipment is used more efficiently, will minimise equipment downtime and will result in a marked reduction in aircraft delays. John Edmunds, the Business Manager for DNATA has initiated the procedure to ensure that DNATA not only meets, but exceeds the current statutory (UK law) requirements to have equipment thoroughly examined at least every 12 months and in the cases where equipment is used to elevate and transport passengers and personnel, at least every six months.

John commented, Ground Support Equipment can be contradictory beasts, incredibly powerful and yet also fragile, much like the aircraft they service. The slightest knock can take them out of service, this is a serious issue that can lead to expensive aircraft delays, disrupting the operation and passengers journey.

John further commented that the recent focus on the BBC’s “Airport Live” series on the art of the turnaround showed how much pressure there is during this process, however he stressed that time & commercial interests must never compromise safety.

There is always a danger with poorly maintained & inspected equipment that an accident or incident may lead to aircraft damage, as John explained, the new composite aircraft such as the 787 Dreamliner, the A380 and the new aircraft types in the pipeline presents both an opportunity to look at some of the reasons that have led to the damage and subsequent equipment downtime. As we all know there is no room for complacency when surrounded by expensive equipment and where safety is a priority. The Thorough Examinations will be managed independently by Airside Airport Equipment Ltd working closely with DNATA’s operational requirements.

Mike Cardy, the Managing Director of Airside Airport Equipment Ltd – Thorough Examinations said that he was honoured to be working with a World Class Company on such an important project that impacts on equipment & aircraft safety.  Mike worked on the C.E.N Standards (European Committee for Standardisation) responsible for the compilation and publishing of the 20 or so legal standards that regulate the building, design & testing of ALL Ground Support Equipment.  It is not widely understood that for some time equipment utilised at airports throughout the UK have not always complied or met the stringent requirements of UK Law.  The use of the C.E mark being an instance.  All equipment that has been imported into the UK or manufactured here must initially satisfy the requirements of the Machinery Directive (2006/42.EC). From the Machinery Directive the various standards authorities from each country are required to meet and to agree and ultimately produce the Standards and Directives that allow equipment manufacturers to produce equipment that takes account of equipment strengths, design & operation to enable all items of Ground Support Equipment to be safe to use and fit for the task. In the UK the Statutory Authorities are B.S.I, the British Standards Institute and H.S.E, the Health and Safety Executive.

It is the two Statutory Instruments, L.O.L.E.R 98, The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations and P.U.W.E.R 98, The Provision of Work Equipment Regulations that both DNATA and Airside will be working to in order to both meet the requirements of UK Law and the Safety of Ground Support Equipment. Airside Airport Equipment Ltd will also be responsible to ensure the fitting of the C.E mark is correctly policed. Airside have developed a Quality Assurance Procedural Code with the guidance and approval of HSE. They have also developed dedicated documentation to support the thorough examination process. Should you require any further information on standards or the Thorough Examination please contact Mike Cardy at Airside on 01252 372555 or email airsideairporteq@btconnect.com.