What is PPE?

High Visibility Clothing?

The wearing of high visibility clothing is mandatory for all persons that operate in external airside areas, including the baggage undercroft.?

The minimum standard British Standard EN471 Class 2.?

Jackets and coats must be fastened at the front to remain fully effective.?

Dirty and worn high visibility clothing may not meet the reflective requirements and therefore all high visibility clothing must be maintained in clean condition or replaced.

The only exceptions to this requirement are:?

• Passengers that are under the escort of the applicable handling agent.?
• Emergency agencies responding to an incident/urgent call.?
• Airline crew/administration staff walking from Aviation House to and from the coach pick-up and drop-off points.?
• Persons inside a vehicle, however they must carry a high-visibility garment with them and wear it whenever outside of the vehicle.?
• Persons being filmed for media work, who are escorted by a member of staff who is wearing high-visibility clothing and within 10 metres.?

Hearing Protection

Noise in the airside environment is produced not only by aircraft engines, but also by vehicles, equipment, baggage systems and terminal infrastructure. Employers are required to provide hearing protection for employees where noise levels exceed 80db(A) and must ensure that it is worn where noise levels exceed 85db(A).?

Footwear

Protective footwear (safety shoes) must be worn by personnel operating airside in the following areas:?

• On the ramp, when undertaking aircraft handling/servicing tasks.?
• In the baggage undercroft, when undertaking baggage handling tasks.?
• In other airside areas subject to the risk assessment for the task.?

Pedestrians using designated walking routes and crossings are not required to wear safety shoes airside.

Employees walking to and from their place of work are not required to wear safety shoes, subject to following approved walking routes.?

Flight crew are exempt from wearing safety shoes when carrying out the walk around check of an aircraft on stand.?

Personal Clothing?

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their staff are dressed in a manner appropriate to their task at work. Employees are reminded that whilst operating airside, they are visible to members of the public and are acting as ambassadors to the airport, and as such have a responsibility to dress in a respectful manner, and adhere to company dress codes.?

Clothing worn according to religious beliefs is at the discretion of the employing company. Provided that the clothing item does not have the potential to become caught in machinery or become a hazard in the course of their daily duties, Bristol Airport has no restrictions with these.?

ITEMS NOT TO BE WORN WHEN OPERATING AIRSIDE?

The following items must not be worn/used in airside areas:?

• Umbrellas.
• Novelty/wide brimmed hats (note: company-issued headwear or ‘bump’ caps are encouraged, if they do not restrict a person’s vision or working ability).?

The following document is highlighted here for PPE educational purposes only! Policy specific to Bristol Airport. General requirements might differ slightly in other leading UK airports.?