BREATH ANALYZER TEST SERVICES
How it is performed
How it is performed
How it is performed
There are both manual and electronic BA tests. Electronic tests use a mouthpiece that you blow into to get
an immediate reading. Manual tests use a balloon and a glass tube with yellow crystals. Blowing into the
balloon releases air into the tube, and the crystals change color to indicate the amount of alcohol in your
system.
When it is used
How it is performed
How it is performed
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) requires that 25% of aviation safety personnel at Indianairports undergo a BA test daily. This includes air traffic controllers, aircraft maintenance engineers, and
other personnel involved in safety-sensitive work.
The DGCA also requires that airlines randomly test 25%
of their cockpit and cabin crew members before each flight.
Why it is used
How it is performed
Why it is used
The DGCA requires BA tests to increase safety at Indian airports, given the increase in air traffic and ground
movements.
Consequences of failing a BA test
If you fail a BA test for the first time, you must be kept off duty and your license or approval suspended for
three months.
AIRPORT BREATH-ANALYZERS EXAMINATION
Procedure for breath-analyser examination of the personnel engaged in Aircraft maintenance, Air traffic control services, Aerodrome operations, Ground handling services for detecting consumption of Alcohol.
It is a well-known fact that alcohol is a sedative, hypnotic, and addicting drug. It impairs judgment and leads to behavior that can easily contribute to or cause accidents. Even when the blood alcohol levels are zero in the body, there could be some effect of hangover, which is mainly due to congeners. A hangover effect produced by alcoholic beverages after the acute intoxication has worn off, may be just as dangerous as the intoxication itself. Symptoms commonly associated with a hangover are headache, dizziness, dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, upset stomach, irritability, impaired judgment, and increased sensitivity to bright light .
The majority of adverse effects produced by alcohol relate to the brain, eyes and inner ear, which are three crucial organs of any person associated with safety related activities.
- Brain effects include impaired reaction time, reasoning, judgment and memory. Alcohol decreases the ability of the brain to make use of oxygen.
- Visual symptoms include eye muscle imbalance, which leads to double vision and difficulty in focusing.
- Inner ear effects include dizziness and decreased hearing perception.
- If such other variables are added as sleep deprivation, fatigue, medication use, the negative effects are significantly magnified.
CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS
Federal Aviation Administration, USA and Civil Aviation Authority, UK have developed and published their policy for detection of consumption of psychoactive substance including alcohol by personnel engaged in safety sensitive functions.
This Civil Aviation Requirement lays down the procedure to be followed for the breath-analyzer examination for consumption of alcohol, of the personnel engaged in safety sensitive functions pertaining to airside operations. It also lays down the provision for enforcement action for violation.
This CAR is issued under the provisions of Section 5 (A) of Aircraft Act 1934, Rule 21 A and Rule 24 (3) read with Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
DEFINITIONS
Aerodrome Operation Personnel Personnel manning Apron control, Personnel involved in operational duty on air side, aerobridge operator and Aerodrome Rescue & Fire Fighting Personnel (ARFF)
Air Traffic Controller Air Traffic Controller” means a person on duty in an air traffic services unit and entrusted with the task of giving instructions, clearance or advice to aircraft by approved means of communication in the interest of safety of aircraft operations
Air Traffic Control Services A service provided for the purpose of:
a) Preventing collisions:
1) Between aircraft, and
2) On the manoeuvring area between aircraft and obstructions; and
b) Expediting and maintaining an orderly flow of air traffic.
Breath-Analyser Examination Test conducted on personnel to measure alcohol in his/her exhaled air so as to determine the concentration of alcohol in the blood.
Ground Handling AgencyAn entity established for the purpose of providing ground handling service at an airport and security cleared by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and duly appointed by the airport operator
Ground Handling Personnel Vehicle Drivers (including catering and refueling vehicles), equipment operators, Marshallers
Maintenance The performance of tasks required to ensure the continuing airworthiness of an aircraft, including any one or combination of overhaul, inspection, replacement, defect rectification, and the embodiment of a modification or repair or test.
Maintenance PersonnelAircraft Maintenance Engineer or any other technically trained person authorized to carry out maintenance of aircraft.
Medical Personnel Medical Personnel for the purpose of this CAR means:
Doctor Holding MBBS Degree.
Emergency Medical Technologist
b) Advance Care Paramedics
c) Operation Theatre Technologist
d) An aesthesia Assistants and Technologists
2. All professionals registered under the Nursing Council of India 3. All professionals registered under the Pharmacy Council of India
Safety-sensitive employees Persons who might endanger aviation safety if they perform their duties and functions improperly. This definition includes, but is not limited to, technical air crew, cabin crew, aircraft maintenance personnel, air traffic controllers, and security screeners
SAFETY REGULATIONS
The organizations shall ensure that at least 25% individuals employed in their respective organizations as engaged in such functions as provided randomly subjected to breath-analyzer examination on a daily basis within one hour of reporting for duty. Such employees may also be informed one hour before commencement of duty regarding his/her breathe analyzer test. If such a person report sick after being contacted, and shows inability to join duty, then that person shall produce a medical certificate duly issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner, whenever he/she reports for duty. The medical certificate will be reviewed by organization. Aerodrome Management shall be responsible for the conduct of BA test on the personnel of the ground handling agency and the aerodrome operational personnel .
EQUIPMENT USAGE AND CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
EQUIPMENT USAGE AND CALIBRATION Organization shall make available at least two serviceable breath-analyzer equipment fuel cell technology based, capable of giving accurate digital value up to three decimal places in mg/dL with a memory to store and recall at least last 1000 record.
