Identification of physically fatiguing tasks performed during aircraft open-basket ground de-icing activities

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Airplane de-icing technicians work from either an open-basket or closed-basket. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify the tasks that have an influence on the physical fatigue of open-basket aircraft de-icing technicians. METHODS: In a Canadian airport during the winter of 2016–2017, a field study was conducted in which the heart rate of 12 volunteer participants was collected. The data was analyzed along with the 22 tasks that make up the activity of open-basket aircraft de-icing. For each participant, the mean absolute cardiac cost per task was compared. The evolution of the cardiac signal based on the resting heart rate and steady state limit was also characterized. RESULTS: According to the cumulative results fatigue occurs for periodic tasks as well as double tasks. More precisely, the most physically fatiguing tasks are spraying de-icing and anti-icing fluids, moving the basket and truck, as well as tactile control and de-icing quality control at ground level. CONCLUSIONS: Similar studies would need to be conducted in other aircraft de-icing facilities to improve the generalization of the results.