BCAS notifies SoPs for Screening of passengers with Disabilities

(Click here for the PDF version of the Revised DGCA's CAR 28 Feb 2014)

(Click here for the PDF version of the below SoPs)

Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Civil Aviation

28-March-2014 19:26 IST

SoP for Screening of Passengers with Special Needs and Medical Conditions

Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has issued procedure for screening of passengers and carry on baggage vide Circular No. 23/2005. The procedure for screening of persons with special needs including differently ­abled passengers and passengers with medical condition, has been described  in  the  said  circular.  The  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SoP)  is  laid  down in the following paragraphs, prescribing the guidelines for screening of such passengers and device, appliances and carry–ons pertaining to them.

The provisions contained in this SOP shall be applicable to the following:

(i)  All Indian airlines/ carriers engaged in scheduled and non­scheduled air transport services both domestic and international;

(ii)   All foreign airlines/ carriers engaged in scheduled air transport operating to and from Indian Territory.

(iii)   All airport operators, including private/JVs, within Indian Territory.

(iv)   Aviation Security Group (ASG) / CISF / APSU deployed at airports.

I.     Person with disability means any individual who has a physical or mental impairment that, on a permanent or temporary basis, substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such impairment.

(a)        Physical or mental impairment means:
(1) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory including speech organs, cardio­vascular, reproductive, digestive, genito­urinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or

(2) any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

The term physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing impairments; cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, autism, drug addiction, alcoholism and geriatric disabilities.

(b)        Major life activities means functions such as caring for one’s self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.

(c)        Has a record of such impairment means has a history of, or has been classified, or misclassified, as having a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

II.        A person with reduced mobility (PRM) means any person whose mobility when using transport  is  reduced  due  to  any  physical  disability  (sensory  or  locomotor  permanent  or temporary), intellectual disability or impairment, or any other cause of disability, or age, and whose situation needs appropriate attention and the adaptation to his or her particular needs of the service made available to all passengers.

III.       Incapacitated passengers are those with physical or mental disability or with a medical condition, who require individual attention or assistance on emplaning.

All airport operators should make special arrangements to facilitate screening of persons with special needs as above so that the process is carried out efficiently keeping the dignity and privacy of the passenger in mind while ensuring adequate level of screening. This will include provision of suitable enclosed space for private screening of passengers covered in this SoP.

The airport management/representative of air carrier shall provide wheel chairs and render necessary assistance to facilitate the movement of the persons with special needs, when required. However, they would not normally be directly taken to the aircraft, except in case of ambulance passengers.

While  thorough  checking  is  essential  and  the  directives  under  AVSEC  circular  No. 23/2005 will be followed in letter and spirit, courtesy and attention to privacy and dignity will be invariably observed.

In the case of a passenger having difficulty in walking or standing, the way his or her screening is conducted will depend on his or her level of ability/disability.

If a passenger has difficulty standing or waiting in line due to a disability or a medical condition, he/ she should duly inform the screening personnel who will assist in directing the passenger either to front of the queue or to a separate line. Passengers should be encouraged to indicate brief details of their disability at the time of booking of the ticket itself and in case of such prior information, airlines and security staff shall make advance preparation for such passengers.

Medical documentation is helpful but not essential.

Canes, crutches and other devices which can be separated from the passengers should be subjected to x ray screening.

Wherever testing is done for detection of explosives, in addition to ETD, help of dog squad may be taken as per need. However, sensitivity of passenger and religious considerations may be kept in mind.

The  procedure  laid  down  herein  is  not  exhaustive,  and  therefore,  in  the  situations/ circumstances not exclusively dealt with in this SoP, commonsense of the screener shall prevail depending upon the situation, circumstances and condition of the passenger. For example, special procedure may be devised for persons with autism, down syndrome etc. The paramount importance is to ensure aviation security and at the same time safeguarding dignity of the passengers and preserving privacy.

Screening of passengers who use wheel chair or scooters (i.e. self - driven wheel chair)

1.  When a passenger arrives at a screening point in a wheel chair / scooter, he/ she must be accompanied either by another travelling passenger or an airline representative (including GHA of the airline) before he proceeds through security. The accompanying passenger or the airline representative is responsible for the passenger throughout the whole process of screening.

2.  If a passenger arrives at a screening point in a wheelchair and he/she is not accompanied by another travelling passenger or an airline representative, the airline’s Customer Service should be contacted for assistance.

3.  At the screening point, depending upon the ability of the passenger to walk, he/she will be requested to walk through the DFMD unaided. If he/she cannot walk, it is the responsibility of the accompanying travelling passenger or the airline representative to push the passenger in the wheelchair unless it is self – driven.

4.  In accordance with Airlines’ policy, there may also be non travelling support personnel in  attendance to board the aircraft and lift the passenger into his/ her seat. This support person must be accompanied by the airline representative. 

5.  If there is a requirement for the passenger to be lifted at the screening point, the support person or the airline representative will perform the lifting for the passenger.   

6.   The support person will be escorted by an Airline representative at the time of boarding / disembarkation.

7.  If the passenger can stand but cannot walk, he/she can be screened by undergoing a pat­down while he/she stands beside the wheelchair or scooter.

8.  If a passenger cannot stand, he/she should be offered a chair for screening and subjected to a pat­down thereafter.

9.  If there is an alarm by the DFMD, HHMD or other technology, the same must be resolved. If the alarm cannot be resolved, the passenger will not be permitted beyond the checkpoint.

10.  The passenger’s wheelchair or scooter will be inspected, including the seat cushions and any pouches/ pockets.  It will be tested for traces of explosives. Removable pouches will be x­ray screened.

11.  Any carry – on bag or document with the wheelchair passenger shall be passed through the x­ray screening.

12.  If a person objects to proceeding through the DFMD on justified medical or other ground, he/ she will be allowed passage through alternative way by the frisking officer and then subjected to screening by pat down search and HHMD where permissible.

13.  If a person refuses to undergo screening, the frisking officer will inform the supervisor, who will direct what further action is to be taken. The concerned passenger will not be allowed entry past the screening point.  

14.   Only when satisfied that a person is not carrying any prohibited or dangerous article, the screening officer shall allow the person to proceed beyond the screening point. 

Screening of passenger with prosthetics

1. During screening of prosthetics ASG/APSU may use X­ray. ETD and visual check depending on the circumstances.

2.  The passenger should inform the ASG/APSU of the existence of a prosthetic, his or her ability  and  of  any  need  for  assistance  before  screening  begins.  Passengers  can  use Notification Card to communicate discreetly with security officers. However, showing this card or other medical documentation will not exempt a passenger from additional screening when necessary.

3.  Dignity and privacy of the passengers should be borne in mind during the entire process of security screening. Where the officer needs to see the prosthetic, care should be taken against  exposing  any  sensitive  areas.  ASG/APSU  will  also  use  technology  to  test  the prosthetic for traces of explosive material. If explosive material is detected, the passenger will have to undergo additional screening.

4. Passenger with prosthetics or braces/support appliances must be accompanied by an airline representative, preferable of the same gender as the passenger.

5.  The staff of airline and any other accompanying person shall be frisked and checked before allowing them access to the passenger with prosthetics at the screening point.

6.  The passenger will first pass through the DFMD and necessary security checks.

7. The passenger should then be taken to a private screening point and made to sit comfortably. He/she  will  receive  additional  screening  including  a  pat­down.  If  necessary,  screening through ETD trace will be adopted. While dealing with prosthetic device and during taking off and putting on of clothes, privacy of the passenger should be maintained.

8.   Screening of the prosthetic appliance will include x­ray screening, ETD detection and visual inspection.  During  visual  inspection,  care  should  be  taken  that  sensitive  parts  are  not exposed.

9.      The screening in the private screening area will be carried out by two officials, one to handle to  HHMD  and  pat­down  and  the  other  to  inspect  the  prosthetics,  braces  and support appliance and subject them to additional screening.

Screening of passengers who cannot remove shoes, medical device or bandages

1.      Passengers who cannot remove their shoes due to a medical condition should inform the supervisor, SHA before screening.

2.      Passenger can be screened using DFMD and/ or a whole – body pat – down.

3.      The shoes may be subjected to additional screening like ETD, etc. 

4.            Passengers can be screened without disconnecting external medical devices and submitting them for x­ray. Such devices include Insulin pumps, Hearing aids, Cochlear implants, Spinal stimulators, Bone growth stimulators and Ostomies.

5.      Under most circumstances, a passenger can conduct a self pat­down of these devices followed by ETD screening of his/ her hands.

6.      The devices should also be physically checked against any outside interference in the manufacturing.

7.      Casts, braces and support appliances will be thoroughly inspected without exposing sensitive areas as far as possible.  ETD screening will also be used to test for traces of explosive materials, where possible.

8.      In case of bandages and/ or dressing, while caution will be observed during pat­down, it needs to be ensured that the covered area is free of threat item. Metal detector, observation and self pat­down followed by ETD checks may suffice in most cases.

9.      Passengers with metal implants will be subjected to a thorough pat­down, and the metal alarm should be resolved satisfactorily. The full body pat down should include the following:

            i.   It should concentrate on upper legs and torso.

            ii.  Special attention should be given to the chest and abdomen areas of the body.

            iii.  Particular focus should be on any skin surface abnormalities or wires or tubes exiting the body that may be signs of an implanted device.

10.  In accordance with BCAS memo. no. CAS – 3 (32)/ 2009/ DIV – III B (SA Kolkata) dt 5.9.2010, all airport operators shall display a board near SHA in a prominent way stating that DFMD/ HHMD are safe for pacemaker and for pregnant ladies.

Screening of passengers with service animals:

If the passenger has a service animal, the instructions issued by AVSEC circular no. 6/2001 shall be implemented. If the service animal is permitted to be carried on board the following instructions shall be followed.

a.   The animal must be wearing a harness, vest, or other identifier that it is a service animal.

b.   The passenger must maintain control of the animal at all times.
c.    He or she should not be separated from the service animal.
d.   The screening officer should ask for permission of the passenger before touching the animal.
e.   Service animals are screened using walk through metal detector followed by a pat down.  There are three options:

        i.      The service animal goes first and the passenger follows holding the leash.

        ii.     The passenger goes first holding the leash and the service animal follows.

       iii.      The passenger and the service animal go together.

f.     Regardless of who goes through the metal detector first, the screening officer will perform a physical inspection of the animal and its belongings (collar, harness, leash, backpack, vest, etc.). The belongings will not be removed from the animal.

g.    The passenger should not make contact with service animal (other than maintain control of the leash) until the animal has been cleared.

h.    Medication for serving animals will be subjected to x – ray and other screening, if required, separately. These also should be separated from other items in the passenger carry­on.

Ambulance passengers 

Due to exigencies of their exceptional medical conditions/ illness, some passengers are directly taken through the security gates to the aircraft for boarding. In such cases, as far as possible, the airport operator/ airline should provide its own ambulance.

a.  The passenger and all occupants of the vehicle should be subjected to a pre – embarkation security check at the security gate by the ASG/ APSU staff under the supervision of an officer not below the rank of an Inspector. The ambulance should be permitted to proceed to the aircraft only after this check has been completed.

b.   In case the ambulance is privately owned or hospital provided, it must be led by follow – me vehicle of the airport operator. The ASG/ APSU staff shall check to ensure that the vehicles  do  not  carry  anything  objectionable  and  are  not  being  accompanied  by unauthorized persons or persons who have no need to be in the vehicles. Such ambulance will be escorted by ASG/APSU staff.

c.    All occupants of the vehicles, unless exempted, must be screened at the gate before allowing entry into the airport.

d.    The movement of the ambulance should be coordinated well in advance by the airline operator with CASO and airport operator.

Screening of medication and associated supplies

a.  All medications and associated supplies (i.e., syringes, sharps disposal container, pens, infusers etc.) are allowed through the checkpoint only after they have been screened.

b. Medication and related supplies are normally x – rayed.

c.  Passengers have the option of requesting a visual inspection of medications and associated supplies with due reason.

d.  Any medication that cannot be cleared visually must be submitted for x – ray screening.

e.  BCAS has issued detailed guidelines regarding carriage of liquids, aerosols and gel (LAGs) on board vide AVSEC Circular No. 18/ 2006. Medically necessary LAGs are permitted in excess of 100 ml on need basis after they have been screened. These items are subject to additional screening through visual inspection and ETD swipe, if necessary.

If a passenger has medically necessary LAGs, he or she needs to :

      i.      Limit the amount to what is reasonably necessary for the itinerary;

      ii.      Separate these items from the other LAGs;

      iii.      Declare the items; and,

      iv.      Present these items for additional inspection on reaching the security check point. 

X­ray screening of respiratory equipment

a.    Supplemental oxygen and other respiratory related equipment are permitted through the checkpoint once they have been screened. This is subject to DGCA regulations also.

b.    If a passenger can disconnect from the oxygen, the oxygen container will undergo x–ray screening.

c.    Passengers who cannot disconnect from respiratory equipment will be screened by undergoing a pat – down.

d.   Respiratory equipment that is not x – rayed will be visually and physically inspected, and will be subject to ETD screening.

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Click here for the source of the below SoPs