Hangars require a lot of attention, upkeep, maintenance, and special work. Aircraft hangars are meant to not only provide safety and protection from the elements like a garage, but they also need to be made in such a way that they provide protection for people working on or around the airplane.

What Protective Equipment Is Needed In Aircraft Hangars?

Aircraft are some of the most technical machines ever made. They require a lot of attention, upkeep, maintenance, and special work. Aircraft hangars are meant to not only provide safety and protection from the elements like a garage, but they also need to be made in such a way that they provide protection for people working on or around the airplane. Aircraft need special fuels, chemicals, and other things that should be stored in the hangar, but these may need special protections to avoid causing harm to people. It is absolutely essential to have the right protective equipment in an aircraft hangar safety, so that people can safely work in and around airplanes. 

OSHA Aviation Requirements

OSHA stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The OSHA Aviation requirements have extensive rules that require each aircraft hanger to be OSHA compliant. This means that it has the safety features and accessible PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to help protect each individual at the hangar. The OSHA requirements for aircraft hangars include safety in regard to hazardous materials, safe sound levels, fire safety, and electrical safety. These can be somewhat extensive, but the basic rules are to have specific products in place as well as to have safeguards against dangerous situations.

Hazardous Materials 

There are a lot of hazardous materials in an aircraft hangar. The OSHA requirements for aircraft hangars include ensuring cleanup of hazardous materials such as oil spills or other fluids. Flammable materials must be stored away from combustible materials. OSHA aviation rules even specifically state that certain spray paints may not be used in or on an airplane hangar, as they could be flammable even when dry. Keeping hazardous items separated with fireproof curtains or industrial curtains from the actual airplane itself is a great way to keep everyone safe. 

Sound Management

There is no doubt that airplanes are loud machines. Mechanic work is also quite loud. Airplane hangars tend to be made of concrete, metal, and other smooth surfaces that actually amplify sound waves. OSHA requirements for aircraft hangars include keeping sound pollution at a safe level, so it doesn’t cause permanent hearing damage to people in and around the hangar. Soundproofing materials can be used within the hangar by putting up soundproofing curtains or foams that can absorb the sound. There are many different options at different price points that can help create a safe environment when it comes to soundproofing. 

Fire Safety

With hazardous materials around and large engines and machines that are hot, an airplane hangar is unfortunately a large fire hazard. OSHA requirements for aircraft hangars include ensuring that there are fire safety products on hand such as fire extinguishers. Making sure that your airplane hangar is fire-safe is important. If you want to hang up separating curtains, make sure they are fire-resistant. Any safety materials you purchase should have some level of fire resistance. Even a buildup of dust and debris in an airplane hangar is a recipe for a fire. OSHA aviation regulations are clear that the hangar should be clean for this purpose, among others. 

Electrical Safety

Any building has safety rules for electricity, but OSHA requirements for aircraft hangars are a little more specific. Hangars often have many electrical components such as wiring and large components that can bring high-voltage electricity. They have large electric lights and other machines like fans that can catch fire or even electrocute someone. Safety standards for these include procedures to properly handle any of these electrical components with safety. 

Aircraft Hangar PPE 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is extremely important in an aircraft hangar safety. PPE is worn in many situations to help protect an individual from any hazards. This includes the same elements as larger products protect against such as sound, fire, and other hazardous materials. 

Sound Protective PPE

When a person is working around aircraft, there is a lot of noise. Soundproofing curtains can definitely assist, but if a person is directly in close contact with loud machines, they should be wearing PPE like earplugs and/or earmuffs. These will help the person not to be exposed to damaging levels of sound. 

Fire and Hazardous Material Protective PPE

Airplane hangar safety includes wearing clothing that is not easily flammable or may catch on moving parts. Wearing a jumpsuit, gloves, closed-toe shoes, and more can be very protective. It also is important to not wear clothes that are soaked with oil or other materials. Wash clothes that have any materials on them, as these are more likely to catch fire. Make sure you can run or walk quickly in the clothes you wear so that you can leave if there is a fire.

Other PPE

In airplane hangar safety, wearing protective eyewear is also essential. Other PPE that can be very helpful includes hard hats or helmets, protective or specially designed gloves, face protection, and more. It is very important to keep PPE updated. If something is broken or damaged, replace it immediately. If something is dirty, clean it. PPE can only protect if it is used for its proper purpose and if it is maintained well. 

Airplane Hangar Safety

Aviation can be dangerous, but it is also an exciting and interesting field. There are things to be aware of, but many things in an airplane hangar are safe. If a person is careful and follows safety procedures, they are very unlikely to be injured or harmed in an accident. Having the proper precautions reduces this risk immensely. Ensuring that each person in an airplane hangar complies and is careful can be difficult, so take care of what you can. Being OSHA compliant isn’t just a suggestion, it is essential for proper airplane hangar safety. Luckily, it isn’t too hard to follow these rules, especially if you care about safety. Contact us today for any of your safety needs, and we can help you avoid dangerous situations and create a safe, healthy workplace environment.