Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

Static accumulation during aircraft fueling operations is best minimized by what practice?

1. Using non-conductive materials

2. Grounding the airplane, fueler, and bonding both

3. Maintaining distance from electrical sources

4. Employing static-dissipative clothing

The correct answer is: Grounding the airplane, fueler, and bonding both

Grounding the airplane, fueler, and bonding both is a critical practice in minimizing static accumulation during aircraft fueling operations. This process of grounding creates a direct path for electrical charges to dissipate safely, preventing the buildup of static electricity that can lead to ignition sources during fueling operations. When an aircraft is being fueled, both the airplane and the fueler (the fueling truck or equipment) are at risk of accumulating static electricity due to the flow of fuel, which can generate static charge. By grounding both the aircraft and the fueling equipment, any static charge that might develop is safely conducted away, reducing the risk of electrical sparks that could ignite fumes or fuel. Additionally, bonding involves connecting the aircraft and fueler with a conductive strap, further ensuring that there is no potential difference between the two, which is essential for safety. The other practices are effective in various contexts, but they do not address the specific and critical issue of static electricity in the same direct manner as grounding and bonding. Static-dissipative clothing, for instance, can help reduce the risk of static discharge from a person, but it does not eliminate the static charges generated by the fueling process itself. Similarly, using non-conductive materials could introduce static accumulation rather than diminish it