Reporter is concerned that the lack of checklist direction to turn the transponder to standby prior ...

Narrative:

While recently deicing at the remote deicing pads in den; we idented a potential pitfall in our new procedures. Specifically; as it relates to the limitation against operating the radar near personnel. On the new deice card under step 2 for remote deicing; we are directed to 'accomplish normal flows and checklists up to and including before taxi checklists.' per the recent fom revision; we are now directed at all airports to turn the transponder on in the after start flow. In the classic aircraft; I am led to believe that the radar is energized any time the transponder is not in 'standby.' the pre-deice checklist does not direct you to turn the transponder to standby. This creates a potential radiation hazard for our employees in the bucket directly in front of the aircraft. In our case; we realized the potential and turned the transponder to standby. It is my opinion that this step should be included in the pre-deice checklist. Then as part of the normal after start procedures; the transponder will again be placed in TA/RA.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: REPORTER IS CONCERNED THAT THE LACK OF CHECKLIST DIRECTION TO TURN THE TRANSPONDER TO STANDBY PRIOR TO DEICING SUBJECTS THE DEICING CREWS TO RADIATION HAZARDS.

Narrative: WHILE RECENTLY DEICING AT THE REMOTE DEICING PADS IN DEN; WE IDENTED A POTENTIAL PITFALL IN OUR NEW PROCS. SPECIFICALLY; AS IT RELATES TO THE LIMITATION AGAINST OPERATING THE RADAR NEAR PERSONNEL. ON THE NEW DEICE CARD UNDER STEP 2 FOR REMOTE DEICING; WE ARE DIRECTED TO 'ACCOMPLISH NORMAL FLOWS AND CHKLISTS UP TO AND INCLUDING BEFORE TAXI CHKLISTS.' PER THE RECENT FOM REVISION; WE ARE NOW DIRECTED AT ALL ARPTS TO TURN THE XPONDER ON IN THE AFTER START FLOW. IN THE CLASSIC ACFT; I AM LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE RADAR IS ENERGIZED ANY TIME THE XPONDER IS NOT IN 'STANDBY.' THE PRE-DEICE CHKLIST DOES NOT DIRECT YOU TO TURN THE XPONDER TO STANDBY. THIS CREATES A POTENTIAL RADIATION HAZARD FOR OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE BUCKET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. IN OUR CASE; WE REALIZED THE POTENTIAL AND TURNED THE XPONDER TO STANDBY. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS STEP SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PRE-DEICE CHKLIST. THEN AS PART OF THE NORMAL AFTER START PROCS; THE XPONDER WILL AGAIN BE PLACED IN TA/RA.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	812649
Time
Date	200811
Place
Locale Reference	airport : den.airport
State Reference	CO
Altitude	agl single value : 0
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tower : geg.tower
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
ASRS Report	812649
Events
Anomaly	other anomaly other
Independent Detector	other other : 1
Resolutory Action	none taken : unable
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Company
Primary Problem	Company

Reporter is concerned that the lack of checklist direction to turn the transponder to standby prior to deicing subjects the deicing crews to radiation hazards.