Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Company Policy; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Flight ABB from ZZZ was 6 hours late into ZZZ1. Upon arrival; there were 4 other flights on the ground and crews were scattered serving other flights. Aircraft was delayed marshalling into gate and also for servicing until crews could finish other flights. This aircraft turned Flight CDDD to ZZZ3 and as soon as a crew was available they began loading. The jet bridge had been removed by the time the crew began uploading; but it was only about 10 minutes to complete loading due to light load. As the lead was preparing to connect his headset to the aircraft; the flight crew flashed the nose gear light trying to get the attention of the ground crew. This temporarily blinded the lead who was unraveling a cord from the comm headset. He proceeded to attach the cord when the light was flashed a second time; hitting his eyes again. He stepped away from the aircraft to get out of the light and when he went to connect the headset again they flashed a third time. This nonstandard procedure has been reported before with no feedback or remedy. Employee was unable to continue working [the] flight due to spotty vision from nose gear light.
Ground employee reported that while attempting to connect the headset to the aircraft; the flight crew flashed the nose gear light three different times directly into the crew member's eyes; resulting in vision impairment.