HR-7696 : Still Just a Bill

The Airport Ramp Worker Safety Act, also known as H.R. 7696, mandates the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to initiate a safety review focused on airport ramp worker safety. This review, termed a "Call to Action," is designed to bring together various stakeholders to identify best practices and implement actions that enhance the safety of airport ramp workers.

Key components of the Call to Action safety review include:

• Reviewing existing FAA regulations, guidance, and directives related to ramp worker procedures and oversight.
• Analyzing reportable accidents and incidents involving ramp workers to identify contributing factors.
• Examining training materials for ramp workers, including supervisory personnel.
• Evaluating communication methods and devices used on the ramp.
• Assessing the effectiveness of markings on the ramp that define restricted, staging, safety, or hazard zones.
• Reviewing aircraft jet blast and engine intake safety markings.
• Establishing a process for stakeholders (airlines, manufacturers, airports, labor, and safety experts) to provide feedback and share best practices.

Following the review, the FAA Administrator is required to submit a report to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The report will detail the review's findings and provide recommendations for actions or best practices to improve ramp worker safety, including identifying risks and mitigation strategies for air carriers' and airports' safety management systems. Furthermore, the Administrator must take necessary actions based on the review's findings.

The Act also requires the Administrator to develop and publish training materials concerning aircraft engine ingestion and jet blast hazards for ground crews within six months of completing the safety review. These materials must include information on the dangers of entering engine ingestion or jet blast zones, proper avoidance protocols, and instructor-led training to physically demonstrate the boundaries of these zones for different aircraft types.