Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
After noticing on the smart load the bags were moved from pit 3 to pit 4; I also noticed the flight was not showing returned to the block. So I called the Operations Agent to verify that the aircraft was returned to block and she confirmed it was not; stating that the Ramp was out in the alley - taxiway - moving the bags. This is in my opinion a safety concern - approaching the aircraft with ground equipment; other than push tractor; outside the gate envelope; is unsafe for a numbers of reasons: engine shut down; wheels chocked; fire extinguishers; traffic; etc.
Air carrier Ground Personnel reported safety concerns regarding location of ground equipment outside gate area.