31. Ground handling activities

A certified operator of an aerodrome must establish a framework to ensure that ground handling activities at the aerodrome are carried out in a safe manner to prevent injury to persons and damage to aircraft.

The framework mentioned in paragraph (1) must ensure that —

personnel who carry out ground handling activities are sufficiently and appropriately trained and assessed;

there is continual coordination between the certified operator and the ground handling service providers to ensure the safety of ground handling activities;

during ground servicing of any aircraft at the aerodrome —

in the event of a fuel fire — fire‑extinguishing equipment suitable for at least initial intervention, and personnel who carry out ground handling activities and are trained in the use of the fire‑extinguishing equipment, are readily available;

in the event of a fire or fuel spill — there is a means of quickly summoning the rescue and firefighting services for the aerodrome; and

if passengers are embarking, on board or disembarking an aircraft during refuelling operations for the aircraft — the ground equipment are positioned such that —

there is a sufficient number of exits for expeditious evacuation; and

there is an escape route from each of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency; and

the aircraft stand is safe for operation when any aircraft at the aerodrome is entering into or being pushed back from the aircraft stand.

A certified operator of an aerodrome must establish a framework to ensure that ground handling activities at the aerodrome are carried out in a safe manner to prevent injury to persons and damage to aircraft.

The framework mentioned in paragraph (1) must ensure that —

personnel who carry out ground handling activities are sufficiently and appropriately trained and assessed;

there is continual coordination between the certified operator and the ground handling service providers to ensure the safety of ground handling activities;

during ground servicing of any aircraft at the aerodrome —

in the event of a fuel fire — fire‑extinguishing equipment suitable for at least initial intervention, and personnel who carry out ground handling activities and are trained in the use of the fire‑extinguishing equipment, are readily available;

in the event of a fire or fuel spill — there is a means of quickly summoning the rescue and firefighting services for the aerodrome; and

if passengers are embarking, on board or disembarking an aircraft during refuelling operations for the aircraft — the ground equipment are positioned such that —

there is a sufficient number of exits for expeditious evacuation; and

there is an escape route from each of the exits to be used in the event of an emergency; and

the aircraft stand is safe for operation when any aircraft at the aerodrome is entering into or being pushed back from the aircraft stand.