Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Human-Machine Interface; Workload; Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure; Aircraft; Company Policy
When attempting to load an electric wheelchair on a CRJ 700; we noticed safety violations and unsafe practices. The Wheel Chair (WC) is around 300 lbs. and the pit is 10 ft. above the ground. A person has to stand on the belt loader and another person in the pit trying a push/pull maneuver while trying to lift the heavy chair. Doing all of this while ducking under the engine and standing on the belt loader that is sometimes turned on in order to get the WC in the pit. Not only is the WC too large to fit standing up; if turned on its side it may fit; but is against protocol. I see a giant risk and the only way to get it in the aircraft is to go against safety protocols. There is also a high threat of severe injury due to the position the worker will be in while trying to lift and turn the WC. Also; in some cases; the belt loader rails have to be put down to accommodate maneuvering the chair; putting the employee at great risk of falling off the belt; or the chair falling; or worst case scenario; both falling and 300 lbs. of metal and plastic could potentially crush an employee. This is the most contradictory practice we have against our safety culture.
An air carrier baggage handler reported difficulties loading an electric wheelchair in the cargo pit of a CRJ-700 citing excessive weight for handling without mechanical assistance; the inability to load it 'upright' (which he believes to be contrary to regulation) and the need to do so with the side rails of the loader down to accommodate its bulk thus exposing handlers to falls and the possibility of the 300 pound chair falling and; perhaps; crushing handler who fell beneath it.