Chemicals are used to prevent corrosion of surfaces. Ramp servicepersons use sponges, brushes, mops, and hoses to clean the outside of planes. They must stand on scaffolding or ride special lift equipment to reach high places. Although usually in a hangar, they sometimes work outdoors. The heaviest work schedules are at night, when most aircraft are not in service.
Shift work is required, and work is done frequently under pressure of time.
Uniforms must be worn. He or she drives baggage tractors and operates conveyors, forklifts, fork trucks, and other baggage and airfreight-handling equipment. Machinery also is used to sort and route baggage and air cargo to and from various flights. He or she must do considerable lifting and moving of baggage, mail sacks, and air express shipments and pushing and positioning of air cargo. Shift work is required, and a uniform must be worn.