characteristics and dangers. The better you, as an ABF, know and understand aviation fuel hazards, the better you will be at avoiding, or correcting, unsafe situations. REDUCING ELECTRO- STATIC CHARGES One of the primary sources of ignition is static electricity. To ensure the safe relaxation of static charges relevant to fuel operations, all activities must do the following: Prohibit the top loading or splash filling of any fuel trucks or tanks. Refill filter/separator slowly or monitor vessels whenever they have been drained. Keep tanks free of foreign objects, such as small conductive objects that can be floated by foaming fuel, thereby becoming an unbonded charge collector. This does not prohibit suspending thermometers or samplers in tanks. However, these devices must be removed prior to any receipt. Always electrically bond the refueling equipment to the aircraft or truck into which the fuel is being loaded. Earth (ground) the aircraft and the refueling vehi- cle whenever refueling operations are conducted on any surface other than concrete, such as asphalt and plastic-coated surfaces. Earthing is also required for all hot-refueling operations and when refueling U.S. Air Force aircraft. Check the electrical resistance of pressure nozzles monthly. Bond overwing (gravity) refueling nozzles to the aircraft, using a separate bonding pigtail before tank’s caps are removed. Attach bonding cables to aircraft, using plug and jack method whenever available. Inspect bonding and grounding cables, clamps, and plugs daily. Check the electrical resistance of cables monthly. Never conduct fuel operations during an electrical storm . Remove refuelers from aircraft parking areas dur- ing electrical storms. Require fuel personnel to wear non-static-produc- ing clothing, such as cotton. ELIMINATING OTHER SOURCES OF IGNITION To prevent or eliminate other sources of ignition, activities must ensure the following: Never allow fuel personnel to wear shoes that have nails or other metal devices on the soles. Advise fuel personnel not to carry or wear loose metal objects, such as knives or keys. Check the exhaust piping on mobile refuelers daily to ensure that holes, cracks, or breaks do not exist. Never permit smoking, spark- or flame-producing items, open flames, or hotwork within 50 feet of any refueling operation. Defer all repair work on fueling equipment during fuel-handling operations. Except approved safety lights for use in hazard- ous locations, do NOT introduce lights into any com- partment or space where fuel or flammable vapors may be present. Do NOT allow fuel personnel to carry “strike anywhere” matches or cigarette lighters. Be certain that no repair or maintenance work is being conducted on the aircraft before starting the refueling or defueling operation. Be certain that LOX operations are not being performed and that LOX-handling equipment is not located within 50 feet of fuel operations. Be certain that aircraft radar and all unnecessary radio equipment is switched off before refueling or defueling is begun. Do NOT conduct aircraft fuel-handling opera- tions within 300 feet of ground radar equipment. Equip all internal combustion engines operated within 50 feet of fuel-handling operations with spark- arresting-type mufflers. Do not start or stop any engine, regardless of its configuration, within 50 feet of a fueling or defueling operation. This prohibition includes aircraft being serviced and adjacent aircraft, as well as ground sup- port equipment. The starting or stopping of an engine within 50 feet of a fueling or defueling operation is sufficient cause for the operator to immediately shut- down the fuel pump. 7-29