B737-800
Situational Awareness; Physiological - Other; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
There was fuel gushing out of the wing tip of the 737. All the proper channels were notified of the large fuel spill and absorbent was placed to stop the fuel from going any further. The only thing supplied as far as safety gear was a 'dust mask' for the clean up. A dust mask doesn't do any good when you are inhaling raw fuel. Everyone that cleaned the fuel spill smelled like raw fuel and had the hazardous dust all over their uniform for rest of the night. One person that was cleaning the spill felt sick the rest of the night; most likely from inhaling the raw fuel.
Following a B737-800 fuel tank vent overflow; safety mitigation procedures did not include ground cleanup personnel protection from fuel vapor or absorbent material dust. One person became ill and others smelled of fuel.