EMB ERJ 135 ER/LR
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Ground Incursion Taxiway
General None Reported / Taken
Procedure
Agents are being directed to push back aircraft to an area known as the penalty box on the north side of [one of the] terminal[s]. When pushing to this location the aircraft and agents must cross an active taxiway. There are two wingwalkers required for the push back. When the push back is complete. One agent must walk back across the active taxiway. The agent is in danger of being run over by a taxiing plane and is subject to jet blast from passing aircraft. There is additional danger at night when visibility is low as the area does not have good lighting.
A ramp employee is concerned about the need for agents to walk across an active runway after pushback.