by Robert Seagrave, PASS National ATO Safety Respresesntative

Earlier this month, following repairs to the waveguide, a required radiation survey was conducted at the Airport Surveillance Radar in Casper, Wyo. (CPR ASR-8), which is the agency’s Northwest Mountain Region. Test results showed that the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) levels from both Channel A and Channel B exceeded the FAA uncontrolled environment by 84 percent and 24 percent of the standard. The standards for non-ionizing radiation (RF) are discussed in FAA Order 3900.68, “ATO Radiation Safety Program” and in American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists publications.

Gene Cannon, PASS’s Southern Region (ASO) Safety Representative, was recently approached by an airways transportation systems specialist from the agency regarding a safety concern at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Sarasota, FL.

PASS has recently learned of a vehicle safety issue that has been addressed by the agency in this Safety Emergency Notice (SEN). The issue involves vehicles where equipment is not secured and could become  a projectile and seriously injure employees.

PASS has compiled a guide and checklists concerning climbing safety related to tower mast and pole structures, or TMPS. Included in the documents are three checklists:

All PASS members who inspect or climb towers should be using the checklists to gather the information prior to climbing in order to ensure your safety at all times. Once you have completed the checklists, if you note any missing information, request in writing the information from management and be sure to copy your local representative. Don’t get into a debate or discussion with your manager. Ask for the information and, if it is not provided within three business days, file a grievance. Remember that you must elevate a grievance within 20 days from the first-level grievance if it is denied and/or you are not provided the information. Please reference Article 54, Section 1 (d), (e) and (f), and Section 13 (a) and (b) in the PASS/Air Traffic Organization collective bargaining agreement.

An Air Traffic Organization (ATO) workplace representative recently informed PASS that the agency may be telling some employees during training that the agency will soon begin implementation of “new” requirements for electrically insulated hand tools that have recently appeared in industry consensus standards.