Title: Ground Deicing & Anti-Icing
No OBP- 34
Effective Date: July 19, 2011 / Revision: Original
Purpose: / To ensure the safety of its employees and customers through compliance with the generally accepted industry practices and FAA AC-120-60B Ground Deicing and Anti-Icing.
Policy Responsibility: / Chief Executive, General Manager, Environmental Health and Safety Director / Manager, Line Supervisor, Trainer/Training Coordinator (as applicable).
Policy: / All employees, contractors and / or customers involved in, and exposed to, aircraft deicing and anti-icing operations to include working on elevated deicing equipment, working outdoors in winter weather conditions, and driving in hazardous driving conditions. All such persons described above shall comply with the procedures defined in this OBP.
General Information
- All employees must be trained regarding the reasons for, and critical nature of, proper deicing and anti-icing procedures including:
- Loss of lift and impairment of aircraft performance caused by ice/snow formation
- Potential for aircraft damage or aircraft accident due to improper procedures
- Definition of Deicing versus Anti-Icing
- Proper Communications with flight crew and understanding of responsibilities
- Definition of Holdover Time and FAA Policies
- Knowledge of equipment and fluids used by location
- See also the OBP regarding fall protection and its application to deicing procedures.
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
- Type IV
- Deice Trucks – Hazards and Specifics regarding local equipment
- Pull Around Vehicles – Specific towing and operational practices
- Snow Brooms and Snow Squeegees – Proper use and cautions for segregation from other common equipment used for other non deicing procedures
- Utilize all PPE equipment defined below.
- Always read and follow the equipment manufacturers operating instructions and placards.
- Position vehicles parallel to the aircraft surfaces and avoid pointing the vehicle directly at the aircraft.
- Avoid backing any vehicle without a wing-walker or spotter to guide you.
- Individuals must be alerted that deice/anti-ice fluids are caustic and cause slippery surfaces.
- Access to deicing equipment bucket shall only be via walkways and stairs that are protected with handrails.
- When using unprotected equipment, the bucket should be manually lowered to the ground for access.
- Walkways and stairs can be very slippery due to snow; ice and accumulation of deice fluid.
- Use of ladders on icy and/or wet slippery surfaces is not allowed.
- Always be certain that the bucket access door is secure.
- Attach and secure the personnel safety harness before raising the vehicle bucket.
- Thoroughly check the deicing vehicle before operation including:
- Fluid Levels
- Mechanical Systems
- Levelling and Stabilization
- Nozzles
- Fluid Heaters
- Regular and Parking Brakes
- Equipment lights
- Hydraulics
- Radio and Communications Devices
- Each employee must have operated all types of winter weather vehicles at the facility and be signed-off on their use prior to performing any aircraft deicing operation.
- Test the vehicle brakes before approaching the aircraft.
- Avoid propeller arcs and always remain clear of jet intakes and jet blast areas.
- Keep the deice/anti-ice vehicle and its buckets and booms a minimum of 10 feet from any aircraft surface.
- Use extreme caution operating vehicles on the aircraft ramp. Surfaces contaminated with snow, ice, water and deice fluid are extremely slippery.
- A condition known as black ice may exist on the ramp whereby the contamination of ice and fluid may cause the ramp to look as if it is only wet when it is actually a surface so slippery that it may be impossible to stop a moving vehicle.
- When operating in close proximity of any aircraft the vehicle shall not be operated at a speed greater than a person can walk.
Procedure: / Deicing Procedures
- Deicing is only effective for a limited time. Employees must be aware of typical holdover times for the types of fluid in use and coordination with the flight crew regarding these recommended times must be provided.
- When removing soft snow with brooms and/or snow squeegees, only utilize equipment specifically for this purpose. Regular floor brooms may have debris that will damage aircraft surfaces.
- Brooms are not to be used to remove snow from windows or windshields due to scratching potential.
- Aircraft may be de-iced by placing them in a heated hangar prior to departure.
- When utilizing fluids to deice the aircraft you should start at the tail to avoid tipping of the aircraft, particularly during heavy snow events.
- Deice the wings and tail surfaces by applying fluid from the wing tip to the wing root (outboard to inboard).
- Spray fluid on the wings and tail from forward to aft to remove snow effectively and quickly.
- Remove snow from the fuselage from top center outward to allow fluid to flow over the surfaces.
- Use caution and remember that fluid is delivered under high pressure which can damage antennae, static wicks, and other protruding devices on the aircraft.
- All fluids must be sprayed with a quick sweeping motion to avoid using over use of the fluid.
- To avoid engine damage, deposits of snow and ice may need to be removed mechanically from engine intakes prior to starting engines.
- Only perform deicing and anti-icing operations in areas of the airport approved for such operations.
- Once the aircraft is clean, a touch test may be performed to verify that the aircraft is ready for flight or other fluid application. All personnel must be trained in this procedure, and communication with the flight crew regarding responsibility for this procedure must be determined before each operation.
- Avoid spraying fluid directly into or near pitot tubes, probes, ports sensors or other flight instrument equipment.
- Aircraft must be clean and clear of snow prior to application of anti-icing fluid except when a combination deice/anti-ice fluid is used.
- Anti-ice fluids are only used when snow, freezing rain, or other precipitation may accumulate on the aircraft during taxi and takeoff.
- Anti-icing fluids should be applied as an even film whereby fluid just begins to flow off of the surfaces.
- Spray process should be performed as a continuous spray and completed as quickly as possible.
- Avoid spraying fluid directly into or near pitot tubes, probes, ports sensors or other flight instrument equipment.
- Never apply anti-icing fluid to windshields, landing gear, engine inlets, fuel vents and APU inlets or exhaust ports.
- The upper fuselage can be critical to flight and should be anti-iced to prevent ice from accumulating and entering engines during takeoff.
- Anti-icing should be carried out as near to departure time as possible.
- The individual responsible for the deicing or anti-icing operation must communicate to the flight crew the completion of the process.
- The flight crew is responsible for the final pre-takeoff check within the holdover time. However, the final touch test to determine if the aircraft is airworthy may be referred to, and performed by, ramp personnel. The responsibility for performing this task properly is of the upmost importance and it is critical that a seasoned and veteran service individual perform this task.
- A second contamination check is required if the aircraft holdover time has expired.
PPE / PPE General
- Winter Weather clothing/gear for protection against frostbite, strong winds, wet conditions, deice chemical spray. Fall protection, high visibility outerwear, and protective footwear.
- Waterproof (impervious) and warm gloves
- Eye protection – Goggles or Face Shield
- Hearing Protection due to proximity of operating engines and deicing equipment
- Winter rain/snow gear (waterproof)
- Snow or rain boots with non slippery heals (waterproof)
- Harness or similar fall protection devices for use while working in bucket or other elevated position
Ground Deicing & Anti-Icing OBP-34 Page 1 of 5