HSE: Environmental Considerations

• Noise and vibration

• physiological

• psychological

________and ______ affect flight attendants and pilots at their workplace in the cabin besides numerous other physical environmental parameters, e.g. air quality, draft, temperature distribution, glare, etc. Additionally, the _________ setting and _________ attitude modulate the influence of the ambience on perception.

• Bishaaro Bilan Jr. 

• Kampala International University Uganda

The study “Impact of Noise Pollution on Aviation Workers” is written by _____________ for the Faculty of Medicine of what university? _____________

• extension and retraction

• very low-amplitude

• resonance

• normal

Vibrations in modern aircraft have several causes, most of which are not unusual or dangerous. For example, vibrations happen during ________and _______of landing gear, deployment of aerodynamic brakes, and takeoff and landing. The operation of the engines also produces constant vibrations. Other normal vibrations experienced by an aircraft come from the mass distribution and the structural stiffness of the aircraft.

Usually, ___________ vibrations result when typical forces act on the aircraft due to airflow over the surfaces. Most passengers hear these vibrations as background noise. The vibrations get much larger turbulent (rough) air, and passengers can actually feel them.

Sometimes, when the engines are operating at certain levels, increased vibration may occur due to ________. This is normal and often sounds loud only because the waves are transferred through the frame of the aircraft to the ears of the passengers. Even the operation of mechanical components such as pumps can cause some vibration in aircraft.

The flight crew quickly becomes familiar with ______ aircraft vibrations. They detect these vibrations by sight, sound, and feel. As an added precaution, aircraft engineers put sensors in the engines in case abnormal vibrations start that are not detected by the crew. Each aircraft has different characteristics and slightly different but normal vibrations, but an experienced crew gets used to them.

• discomfort

• danger

• margin of safety

The practical importance of preventing large vibrations in aircraft results from the two main effects of vibration, discomfort and danger. The ________ aspect should not be disregarded, or dismissed as unimportant in comparison with the ______ aspect. Both in military and in civil machines, discomfort from any cause is to be avoided if at all possible, as it can very seriously impair the operational efficiency of the air‐crew and lessen the attractiveness of flying as a means of transport.

The provision of an adequate _________ is, however, essential, and this aspect is therefore of more immediate interest and importance to the engineer.

Physiological Effects of Noise Pollution

• Hearing Loss

• Cardiovascular Strain

• Sleep Disturbances 

Psychological Effects of Noise Pollution

• Stress and Anxiety

• Cognitive Impairment

• Reduced Quality of Life 

• Hearing Loss

• noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

_____________-High-intensity noise from aircraft engines can damage the inner ear, leading to ________________and tinnitus.

• Cardiovascular Strain-

__________- Chronic exposure is linked to adverse cardiovascular effects, such as hypertension, increased heart rate, and elevated stress hormone levels, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

• Sleep Disturbances

_____________- Noise pollution disrupts sleep patterns, causing fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and reduced cognitive performance, and is linked to insomnia and sleep-related disorders.

• Stress and Anxiety

_____________- Continuous background noise can activate the body's stress response system, leading to elevated cortisol levels and psychological distress.

• Cognitive Impairment

____________- Noise can impair cognitive performance and decision-making abilities, compromising situational awareness, response times, and error detection.

• Reduced Quality of Life

___________- Chronic exposure contributes to decreased job satisfaction, social isolation, and noise-induced annoyance, diminishing overall life satisfaction.

Operational Effects of Noise Pollution

The following are what:

• Communication Difficulties

• Reduced Situational Awareness

• Fatigue and Performance Decrement

• Indirect Impacts

• Regulatory Compliance Challenges

• Communication Difficulties

• Reduced Situational Awareness

• Fatigue and Performance Decrement

• Indirect Impacts

• Regulatory Compliance Challenges

_________________- Background noise interferes with radio transmissions, making it challenging for personnel (pilots, air traffic controllers, ground crew) to exchange critical information and instructions.

_____________________-Noise-induced distractions and cognitive impairments affect personnel's ability to perceive and respond to changes, potentially leading to errors in decision-making and aircraft handling.

________________- Prolonged exposure contributes to fatigue, impairing cognitive abilities and reaction times, which can lead to errors and compromise flight safety.

_____________- Noise-induced health issues (like hearing loss and sleep disturbances) lead to reduced job satisfaction, absenteeism, and decreased productivity, further affecting performance.

______________- Compliance with regulations (curfews, route modifications) to mitigate noise for surrounding communities can affect flight schedules and operational efficiency.

NOISE MANAGEMENTS STRATEGIES AND RECCOMENDATIONS 

The following are:

• Engineering Controls

• Administrative measures

• Personal Protective Equipment

• Occupational Health Interventions 

• Engineering Controls

• Administrative Measures

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Occupational Health Interventions

________________- Incorporating quieter engine designs, improved aerodynamics, and sound insulation in aircraft, and designing ground support equipment to reduce noise.

___________- Implementing noise abatement procedures (curfews, route restrictions) and work scheduling policies (rotational shifts, rest breaks).

______________- Providing hearing protection devices (earplugs, earmuffs) and noise-canceling communication headsets.

______________ -Regular audiometric testing and hearing conservation

• Lightning

• visibility

__________and poor ______primarily affect aircraft crew by increasing workload, demanding heightened situational awareness, and requiring strict adherence to operational procedures. While modern aircraft are designed to withstand most weather conditions, severe weather poses significant challenges to crew performance and safety.

• Lightning

• Cumulonimbus (Cb)

• base

• top

• shadow

_________ occurs as a result of a build up of static charges within a ___________cloud, often associated with the vertical movement and collision of ice particles (Hail), which result in a negative charge at the_____ of the cloud and a positive charge at the ____ of the cloud.

Beneath the cloud, a "_______" positive charge is created on the ground and, as the charge builds, eventually a circuit is created and discharges takes place between the cloud and the ground, or between the cloud and another cloud. An aircraft passing close to an area of charge can initiate a discharge and this may occur some distance from a Thunderstorm.

• 5,000

• freezing

• Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)

• Volcanic Ash

Lightning strikes on aircraft commonly occur within ________feet of the ______ level.

Lightning is accompanied by a brilliant flash of light and often by the smell of burning, as well as noise. A lightning strike can be very distressing to passengers (and crew!) but significant physical damage to an aircraft is rare and the safety of an aircraft in flight is not usually affected. Damage is usually confined to aerials, compasses, avionics, and the burning of small holes in the fuselage. Of greater concern is the potential for the transient airflow disturbance associated with lightning to cause engine shutdown on both ________ and non-FADEC engines with close-spaced engine pairs.

Lightning may also occur in _______ clouds formed in the immediate vicinity of eruptions because the vertical movement and collision between solid particles within the cloud generates static charges.

• Effects

  • Aircraft Damage.

    • radomes and tail fins

  • Crew Incapacitation

  • Interference with Avionics

    • compasses..

  • Engine Shutdown

• Defences

  • Avoidance.

    • 20 nm

• Solutions

  • manufacturer's guidelines

Lightning _______

____________ Structural damage to aircraft from Lightning strikes is rare and even more rarely of a nature that threatens the safety of the aircraft. Nevertheless, there have been many incidents of lightning strikes leaving puncture holes in the ______and _______ of aircraft (entry and exit holes) and damage to control mechanisms and surfaces.

____________. Momentary blindness from the lightning flash, especially at night, is not uncommon.

_____________A lightning strike can effect avionics systems, particularly ______

____________. Transient airflow disturbance associated with lightning may cause engine shutdown on both FADEC and non-FADEC engines on aircraft with close-spaced engine pairs.

Lightning _______

_________ Standard advice to pilots is to remain at least ___ nautical miles displaced from any Cumulonimbus (Cb) cloud. The dangers from Turbulence, Low Level Wind Shear, and In-Flight Icing associated with Cumulonimbus clouds are far greater than the threat of Lightning.

Lightning _______

If flying in the vicinity of cumulonimbus clouds, or lightning is seen close to the aircraft, then review ____________for action to be taken in the event of a lightning strike. If the aircraft is equipped with gyro-magnetic compasses, it may be recommended that one of the compasses is selected to gyro while there is a risk of lightning.

1. Faraday Cage

2. Static electricity Discharge Systems

3. Lightning Rods

3 Lighting Protection Methods

• Faraday Cage

• Static Electricity Discharge Systems:

  • friction

• Lightning Rods

  • nose, wings and tail.

____________: is a conductive structure that keeps electric fields out or traps them inside. It is used in aircraft consists of a conductive material integrated into the outer surface of the aircraft body. Lightning carries high voltage and current when it strikes the aircraft fuselage. It also transfers the energy of lightning to the outside by spreading it throughout the body, and thanks to its conductive structure, the electric current is distributed across the body surface and prevented from reaching the interior parts. Thus, passengers and electronic systems inside the aircraft are not affected by lightning.

__________________ These are an important solution used to keep the lightning hazard to a minimum level by preventing or reducing the accumulation of static electricity in aircraft. Airplanes accumulate static electric charges due to the _____ of the air as they move through the air during flight. This charge accumulation can concentrate on the surface of the aircraft fuselage and increase the risk of lightning strikes. These minimize the damage that may be caused by lightning by keeping this accumulation under control. These systems consist of metal strips or conductive wires integrated into the aircraft body. These conductive structures are placed in various parts of the aircraft body, and the static electric charges accumulated in the body are transferred to these conductive strips or wires and quickly discharged to the ground.

____________: are another important component used to reduce the risk of lightning strikes in aircraft and ensure flight safety. It generally consists of metal rods placed on the outer surfaces of aircraft such as the _____ ______ and _____. These rods enable the control of electric current by making the aircraft fuselage the center of attraction for lightning. The rods collect the static electrical charge that accumulates in the fuselage and provide a way to attract lightning. In case of a lightning strike, the electric current on the rods is transferred to the fuselage, and this current passes safely through the aircraft body and is discharged to the ground.

• Aircraft lightning standards

• U.S. 14 CFR (Code of Federal regulations) Part 25

• European CS (Certification Specification) 25.581

• ARP (Airport Reference Point) 5414B.

__________ require that large aircraft be designed and certified to withstand lightning strikes without catastrophic failure by protecting the airframe and electronic systems. Key standards include the _________and _________ regulations, which mandate compliance and are supported by testing procedures and standards like those defined by the SAE in _________ Aircraft are protected through a combination of design elements like bonding and grounding wires, lightning dissipators, and the use of conductive materials, while critical areas such as fuel tanks require specific attention to prevent ignition.

• US 14 CFR Parts 25 and European CS 25.581

• Functional compliance:

• SAE ARP 5414B:

_________________: These are the core regulations for large aircraft, which, along with their counterparts for smaller aircraft (14 CFR Parts 23 and 27, and CS 23 and 27), require that aircraft be protected from the catastrophic effects of lightning.

__________________The standards address both the direct effects of a strike (burning) and indirect effects (induced currents) on electrical and electronic systems.

_________________This standard is crucial for compliance, as it defines a system of lightning zones on an aircraft (Zone 1, 2, and 3) to specify the required protection levels based on the likelihood of a strike attaching to that area.

• visibility

Poor ________, caused by weather like fog, rain, or haze, significantly impacts aircraft crew by creating a higher risk of collisions, causing disorientation, and complicating takeoff, landing, and taxiing. To manage these risks, crews rely on instrument flying and air traffic control, but they must follow strict procedures like stopping the aircraft if a visual doubt arises, ensuring all pre-flight checks are complete while stationary, and verifying runway alignment visually.

1. Reduced visual cues

2. Increased collision risk

3. Complex ground operations

4. Illusionary effects

5. Misjudgment of altitude

Poor Visibility Operational challenges

1. ____________: Low visibility removes external visual references, forcing reliance on instruments and leading to potential disorientation, especially for pilots not fully qualified for instrument flight.

2. ______________: With poor visibility, the risk of collision with natural obstacles, structures, or other aircraft increases significantly, as there is less time to take avoiding action.

3. ______________: Taxiing becomes difficult and hazardous, requiring enhanced briefing, careful attention to charts, and stopping to confirm position if there is any doubt. All paperwork must be completed before taxiing begins.

4. _____________: Haze can deceive pilots by making visibility appear better than it is from the ground. When a pilot descends into a haze layer, their visibility can suddenly decrease, leading to a dangerous situation.

5. ______________: Pilots can misjudge their altitude and position relative to the ground or other structures, a problem exacerbated by poor visibility.

• low visibility

• reduce

• sound signals

• Instrument Landing System (ILS), autoland systems, and confirming runway alignment

In ________operations, crew members should_______ speed, increase lookouts, and rely on navigation aids like radar and GPS to maintain situational awareness. They should also use _________, secure the deck of non-essential work, and log all critical data.

In aviation, the crew follows specific procedures like using the ________, ________, and__________ while remaining within the established minima for safety.