| The arena of aviation is a harsh environment from | | | | cancer or anything else. Is it from the chemicals, radio |
| the basic medium the aircraft flies in to the lubricants, | | | | waves or something else? I do not know, in the |
| fuels and additives used and even the basic materials | | | | words of Scotty from Star Trek, "I'm a mechanic |
| in the structure. Fortunately, someone decided that it | | | | not a doctor Jim"! I am also not sure if there has |
| might be a good idea to let the maintenance people | | | | ever been any medical research into the chemical |
| and handlers of these products know about the | | | | contamination of aircraft mechanics blood or long |
| associated dangers with these chemicals and | | | | term exposure to aviation chemicals or other hazards. |
| compounds. The result is a system known as the | | | | When we get involved in fabrication or repair |
| Materials Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS) | | | | procedures using drills, rivets or grinders most |
| MSDS sheets provide a lot of information on the | | | | technicians will use safety glasses or face shields or |
| hazards, handling and personal protection measures | | | | both depending on the maintenance operation. Sure |
| recommended when working with or around these | | | | there are times when we would rather look at our |
| products. Notice I said recommendation and not the | | | | significant other through one eye but not forever. Be |
| typical or "correct" answer of mandatory. Let's face | | | | conscious of your actions and protect your eyes. |
| it if you are out trying to recover a downed aircraft | | | | Noise hazards around aircraft have been known for |
| you may not have all the goodies you need nor will | | | | years and ear plugs are normally available in most |
| you necessarily need or have room to get all that | | | | shops, if not then buy some. They are not expensive |
| stuff into a remote location. So we, as mechanics, | | | | and you don't want the constant ear ringing or loss |
| take what we know we need to provide the best | | | | of your hearing from not using them. Using them is |
| protection for the job being done. I know I just | | | | the second part of the safety equation ear plugs will |
| ticked off the hazmat people who seem to be | | | | do no good sitting in the desk or toolbox. When |
| almost obsessive on this subject but that is how we | | | | purchasing a set of earplugs try and find something |
| honestly work. We may not have rubber gloves | | | | small, easy to use and easily carried on your person. |
| available when we check a chip detector but I almost | | | | Soon you will find using your ear plugs as easy as |
| guarantee the technician is going to bring some rags | | | | putting on your seat belt and soon become habit. |
| or towels and something to clean with. For such a | | | | Mechanics with long hair should keep their hair up or |
| little job it is probably insignificant but when back at | | | | under a cap so as not to get it entangled with drills, |
| the shop there really isn't much reason to not | | | | torches or the aircraft's rotating components. |
| protect yourself as much as possible. | | | | The responsibility of maintenance safety falls directly |
| The subject of protection leads us to the next | | | | in the hands of the mechanic doing the work, just |
| subject of personal maintenance safety the casual | | | | remember that responsibility also extends to your |
| observance of increased risk of prostate cancer in | | | | family. Your family needs you in one piece, with all |
| maintenance technicians and pilots within aviation. This | | | | your fingers, hands and eyes and in good health. Get |
| industry seems to have its fair share of people with | | | | your health check up to include the dreaded prostate |
| or who have battled prostate cancer. I personally | | | | exam and live a full enjoyable life as an aircraft |
| have seen more mechanics and pilots leave the world | | | | technician. |
| from prostate cancer than from heart attacks, lung | | | | |