The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has joined the aviation industry in supporting Airport Safety Week 2018.
Airport Safety Week – a collaboration between the Australian Airports Association (AAA) and the NZ Airports Association (NZ Airports) – is an annual forum for learning and innovative thinking in the field of aviation safety.
ATSB Chief Commissioner, Greg Hood, who attended this year’s launch at Canberra Airport on Monday morning, said Airport Safety Week is an important opportunity for all airport users to share their insights and experiences in maintaining a safe environment.
“Airports are, naturally, a critical element of the aviation safety system,” Mr Hood said.
“They are a confluence of activity and information, and the experience, knowledge, and professionalism that we see at Australian and New Zealand airports is one of the reasons why aviation safety in this region is of such a high calibre.”
This year’s theme, ‘Walk in my shoes’, reminds the aviation industry of the many different organisations and individuals who contribute to airport safety.
The Airport Safety Week affords all airport operators, airlines, pilots, emergency services and aviation safety agencies the opportunity to work together to improve the understanding of each other’s roles, and to build even more collaborative relationships.
The ATSB provides research materials and educational resources about transport safety to airport operators and users. In the event of an emergency at or near an airport, the ATSB and the Defence Flight Safety Bureau, have developed a booklet called ‘Hazards at an accident site’. The pocket-sized booklet is an easy-to-understand mainstay of do’s and don’ts for first responders attending a range of aviation accidents.
“The booklet explains the dangers that can exist, and provides guidance on how to keep safe while responding to an aviation accident,” Mr Hood said.
“I encourage airport operators to have it as part of their safety library. Contact our Communications team for a copy, or download it from the ATSB’s website.”
Coinciding with Airport Safety Week, on Friday Chief Commissioner Hood will be presenting at the AAA’s 2018 Emergency Management Forum in Canberra.