APPENDIX 2

AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION SAFETY PLANNING GUIDE
Aviation Safety Requirements During Construction

PERPOSE

This appendix provides airport operators  with boilerplate format and language for developing a safety  plan for an airport construction project. Adapt this appendix, as applicable, to specific  conditions found on the airport for which the plan is being developed. Consider including a copy of this safety plan in the construction drawings for easy access by contractor personnel. Plans should contain the following:

GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Throughout the construction project, the following safety and operational practices should be observed:

  • Operational safety should be a standing agenda item during progress meetings throughout the construction project.
  • The contractor and airport operator must perform onsite inspections throughout the project, with immediate remedy of any deficiencies, whether caused by negligence, oversight, or  project scope change.
  • Airport runways and taxiways should remain in use by aircraft to the maximum extent possible.
  • Aircraft use of areas near the contractor’s work should be controlled to minimize disturbance to the contractor’s operation.
  • Contractor, subcontractor, and supplier employees or any unauthorized persons must be restricted from entering an airport area that would be hazardous.
  • Construction that is within the safety area of an active runway, taxiway, or apron that is performed under normal operational conditions must be performed when the runway,  taxiway, or apron is closed or use-restricted and initiated only with prior permission from the airport operator.
  • The contracting officer, airport operator, or other designated airport representative may order the contractor to suspend operations; move personnel, equipment, and materials to a safe location; and stand by until aircraft use is completed.

CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE AND FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

Before beginning any construction activity, the contractor must, through the airport operator, give notice [using the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) System] of proposed location, time, and date of commencement of construction. Upon completion of work and return of all such areas to standard conditions, the contractor must, through the airport operator, verify the cancellation of all notices issued via the NOTAM System. Throughout the duration of the construction project, the contractor must:

  1. Be aware of and understand the safety problems and hazards described in this publication
  2. Conduct activities so as not to violate any safety standards. 
  3. Inspect all construction and storage areas as often as necessary to be aware of conditions.
  4. Promptly take all actions necessary to prevent or remedy any unsafe or potentially unsafe conditions as soon as they are discovered.

APPROACH CLEARANCE TO RUNWAYS

Runway thresholds must provide an unobstructed approach surface over equipment and materials. (Refer to CARC publication AN 14-I .)

RUNWAY AND TAXIWAY SAFETY AREA (RSA AND TSA)

Limit construction to outside of the approved RSA, as shown on the approved airport layout plan—unless the runway is closed or restricted to aircraft operations, requiring a lesser standard RSA that is equal to the RSA available during construction.  Construction activity within the TSA is permissible when the taxiway is open to aircraft traffic if adequate wingtip clearance exists between the aircraft  and equipment/material; evacuations, trenches, or other conditions are conspicuously marked and lighted; and local NOTAMs are in effect for the activity (see CARC  publication AN 14-I for wingtip clearance requirements). The NOTAM should state that, “personnel and equipment are working adjacent to Taxiway____.”

a. Procedures for protecting runway edges

  • Limit construction to no closer than 200 feet (60m) from the runway centerline—unless the runway is closed or restricted to aircraft operations, requiring a lesser standard RSA that is equal to the RSA available during construction.
  • Prevent personnel, material, and/or equipment, as defined in CARC publication AN 14-I, “Obstacle Free Zone (OFZ),” from penetrating the OFZ.
  • Coordinate construction activity with the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and through the airport operator, issue an appropriate NOTAM.

Complete the following chart to determine the area that must be protected along the runway edges:

Runway

 

Aircraft Approach Category *
1,  2,  3, OR 4

 

Airplane Design Group *
A,  B,  C, D , E OR F

RSA Width in Feet Divided by 2

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

 

b. Procedures for protecting runway ends

  • Maintain the RSA from the runway threshold to a point at least the distance from the runway threshold as existed before construction activityunless the runway is closed or restricted to aircraft operations, requiring an RSA that is equal to the RSA length available during construction in accordance with CARC  publication AN 14-I. This may involve the use of declared distances and partial runway closures .
  • Ensure all personnel, materials, and/or equipment are clear of the applicable threshold sitting criteria surface, as defined in Appendix 2, “Threshold Sitting Requirements,” of CARC  publication AN 14-I .
  • Prevent personnel, material, and/or equipment, as defined in CARC publication AN 14-I, from penetrating the obstacle-free zone.
  • Ensure adequate distance for blast protection is provided, as needed.
  • Coordinate construction activity with the ATCT and through the airport operator, issue an appropriate NOTAM. 
  • Provide a drawing showing the profile of the appropriate surfaces of each runway end where construction will take place. Where operations by turbojet aircraft are anticipated, review takeoff procedures and jet blast characteristics of aircraft and incorporate safety measures for construction workers in the contract documents.

Complete the following chart to determine the area that must be protected before the runway threshold:

Runway and Number

 

Airplane Design Group *
A,  B,  C, D , E OR F

 

Aircraft Approach Category *
1,  2,  3, OR 4

Minimum Safety Area Prior to the Threshold *

Minimum Unobstructed Approach Slope

--------------

--------------

--------------

-----------: FEET

-------: 1 to (threshold)

--------------

--------------

--------------

-----------: FEET

-------: 1 to (threshold)

--------------

--------------

--------------

-----------: FEET

-------: 1 to (threshold)

--------------

--------------

--------------

-----------: FEET

-------: 1 to (threshold)

 

 

 

 

 

MARKING AND LIGHTING FOR TEMPORARY THRESHOLDS

Marking and lighting for a temporary threshold is____/is not____ required. The airport owner or contractor, as specified in the contract, will furnish and maintain markings for temporary thresholds. Precision approach path indicators (PAPIs) or runway end identification lights (REIL) are____/are not____ required. The airport owner or contractor, as specified in the contract, will furnish and install all temporary lighting. “Safety Standards and Guidelines.” If marking and lighting for the temporary threshold is not required, delete this section of the safety plan. If visual aids and/or markings are necessary, provide details. (Include applicable JCAR part 77 surfaces in the contract documents.).

 

CLOSED RUNWAY MARKINGS AND LIGHTING

The following must be specified for closed runways. Closed runway marking are ____/are not____ required. Closed runway markings will be as shown on the plans____/as furnished by the airport owner____/other____ (specify). Barricades, flagging, and flashers are____/are not____required at Taxiway____ and Runway____and will be supplied by the airport ____/other____(specify).

 

HAZARDOUS AREA MARKING AND LIGHTING

Hazardous areas on the movement area will be marked with barricades, traffic cones, flags, or flashers (specify). These markings restrict access and make hazards obvious to aircraft, personnel, and vehicles. During periods of low visibility and at night, identify  hazardous areas with red flashing or steady-burning lights (specify). The hazardous area marking and lighting will be supplied by the airport operator/contractor, as specified in the contract, and will be depicted on the plans.

 

TEMPORARY LIGHTING AND MARKING

Airport markings, lighting, and/or signs will be altered in the following manner (specify) during the period from _____ to ______. The alterations are depicted on the plans.

 

VEHICLE OPERATION MARKING AND CONTROL

Include the following provisions in the construction contract, and address them in the safety plans:

  1. When any vehicle, other than one that has prior approval from the airport operator, must travel over any portion of an aircraft movement area, it will be escorted and properly identified. To operate in those areas during daylight hours, the vehicle must  have a flag or beacon attached to it. Any vehicle operating on the movement areas during hours of darkness or reduced visibility must be equipped with a flashing dome-type light,  the color of which is in accordance with local codes.
  2. It may be desirable to clearly identify the vehicles for control purposes by either assigned initials or numbers that are prominently displayed on each side of the vehicle. The identification symbols should be at minimum 8-inch (20-cm) block-type characters  of a contrasting color and easy to read. They may be applied either by using tape or a water-soluble paint to facilitate removal. Magnetic signs are also acceptable. In addition, vehicles must display identification media, as specified in the approved security plan. (This section should be revised to conform to the airport operator’s requirements.)
  3. Employee parking shall be ___________________________________ (specify location), as designated by the airport manager_____/ project engineer______/other______ (specify).
  4. Access to the job site shall be via___________ (specify route), as shown on the plans______/designated by the engineer______/designated by the superintendent______/designated by the airport manager______/other______ (specify). 
  5. At JCAR part 139 certificated and towered airports, all vehicle operators having access to the movement area must be familiar with airport procedures for the operation of ground vehicles and the consequences of noncompliance.
  6. If the airport is certificated and/or has a security plan, the airport operator should check for guidance on the additional identification and control of construction equipment.
     

NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

The contractor must not conduct any construction activity within navigational aid restricted areas without prior approval from the CARC  Airway Facilities sector representative. Navigational aids include instrument landing system components and very high-frequency omnidirectional range, airport surveillance radar. Such restricted areas are depicted on construction plans.

 

LIMITATIONS ON CONSTRUCTION

Additional limitations on construction include-

  1. Prohibiting open-flame welding or torch cutting operations unless adequate fire safety precautions are provided and these operations have been authorized by the airport operator (as tailored to conform to local requirements and restrictions).
  2. Prominently marking open trenches, excavations, and stockpiled materials at the construction and lighting these obstacles during hours of restricted visibility and darkness.
  3. Marking and lighting closed, deceptive, and hazardous areas on airports, as appropriate.
  4. Constraining stockpiled material to prevent its movement as a result of the maximum anticipated aircraft blast and forecast wind conditions.

 

RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Vehicular traffic located in or crossing an active movement area must have a working two-way radio in contact with the control tower or be escorted by a person in radio contact with the tower. The driver, through personal observation, should confirm that no aircraft is approaching the vehicle position. Construction personnel may operate in a movement area without two-way radio communication provided a NOTAM is issued closing the area and the area is properly marked to prevent incursions. Two-way radio communications are ____/are not____required between contractors and the Airport Traffic Control Tower______/ CARC  Flight Service Station_____/Airport Aeronautical Advisory Stations (UNICOM/CTAF)______. Radio contact is _______/is not_____ required between the hours of ____and _____. Continuous monitoring is required _____/or is required only when equipment movement is necessary in certain areas_____. (This section may be tailored to suit the specific vehicle and safety requirements of the airport sponsor.)

 

DEBRIS

Waste and loose material must not be placed in active movement areas. Materials tracked onto these areas must be removed continuously during the work project.