The concern related to the lack of support and treatment of staff after a ground handling accident that resulted in serious injury.
The reporter expressed a safety report related to the treatment of staff after an accident in which a member of staff was seriously injured.
The reporter advised that the staff members (including flight crew) who witnessed this accident were instructed to continue working for the remainder of their shift and through subsequent shifts during the week. The staff members were not offered any form of counselling and management did not offer any form of support during this time.
The reporter is concerned that this lack of support may have resulted in placing staff in unsafe situations, but it may also have resulted in mistakes in the high-pressure environment they operate – especially on the day of the accident.
Reporter comment: The psychological trauma experienced is highly likely to affect a person's ability to concentrate in the high-pressure environment that they operate in - particularly on the day of the accident.
This description of events following this accident is totally incorrect.
Our actions were appropriate and as advised by medical professionals, supplied under the airport emergency response plan.
At no time was any worker, that was present before, during or after the event on that day, instructed that they had to continue working the remainder of their shift. Counselling services were supplied on the day to all members of staff performing safety sensitive aviation activities. All other staff were offered counselling. The offer of counselling is ongoing. Those employees who elected to or were advised to by the psychologist were stood down and offered or assisted with transport to go home.
Employee’s welfare was one of our highest priorities second to the welfare of the victim of the accident.
CASA has reviewed the REPCON and is satisfied with the operator’s response.