Safety Training and Incident Management in Ground Handling: Insights from A Case Study in Romania

This article explores the relationship between safety training and incident management in the ground handling sector, using a case study of a large handling company operating at Romania’s primary international airport. Ground handling is characterised by high operational tempo, equipment-intensive tasks, and significant exposure to human error, making training a central determinant of both safety and performance. Drawing on training records, incident logs, audit scores, and employee feedback, the study applied Kirkpatrick’s four-level evaluation model integrated with safety management principles to assess training effectiveness between 2022 and 2025. Baseline analysis revealed high compliance with mandatory training but also uneven distribution of training hours, occasional lapses in recertification, and persistent non-compliances in high-risk departments. In response, a blended training intervention was introduced, combining computer-based modules, hands-on sessions, scenario-based simulations, and micro-scheduling. The programme was associated with measurable improvements in safety performance, compliance, and employee confidence. Beyond operational outcomes, the study demonstrates that safety training functions as a form of strategic human resource development (HRD), aligning investment with organisational risk, supporting experiential and adult learning principles, and reinforcing the characteristics of a learning organisation. The findings highlight the value of blended and recurrent training in building not only compliance and safety but also organisational resilience. While limited to a single case, the results offer transferable insights for HRD professionals in similarly complex environments such as logistics, healthcare, and energy.