A Guide to DBS Checks for Airport Workers
Airport security and safety is taken very seriously, especially in recent years since the threat of international and domestic terrorism has grown.
Every airport in the world has strict security measures in place to protect the safety of passengers, employees, airport infrastructure, and aeroplanes.
DBS Checks play an important role in maintaining the safety and security of air travel. This short guide will help you to understand the rules around DBS Checks for airport workers and how they are applied in practice.
What are “Airside Passes” for airport workers?
In the UK, there is a rigorous system in place to protect airport security. Only certain employees are granted access to restricted areas and to do so they must have something that is known as an “airside pass”.
Employees that have an airside pass are essentially “cleared” to pass into certain restricted areas, as it proves that they have passed a background check and a number of vetting procedures.
An important part of the background check process is a criminal record check in the form of a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.
All airport employees need to submit an application for a Basic DBS Check at the minimum. For applicants that have lived abroad, an equivalent certificate will also need to be gained from any countries in which they resided for at least six months continuously, over the period of the past five years.
Which Airport Workers Need a Basic DBS Check?
According to rules set out by the Civil Aviation Authority, a Basic DBS Check is needed by anybody who works in a role that involves:
- Access to a security restricted area (unescorted) within the airport and require an airside pass that is signed off by the airport manager
- Working as a certified trainer or training manager
- Implementing or managing security procedures or processes
- Validating consignors (suppliers or distributors of commercial goods) in a certified role
Whenever a staff member’s airside pass runs out and is need of renewal, a new application for a Basic DBS Check must be submitted. The airport manager decides how frequently this should occur.
What is a Basic DBS Check?
A Basic DBS Check is a criminal background check that searches through the Police National Computer (PNC) and highlights any unspent convictions that exist on an individual’s criminal record.
The only eligibility criteria that exists for a Basic DBS Check is that the individual must be aged 16 years old or more. Therefore, any airport employee is eligible for a Basic DBS Check.
How to get a DBS Check for airport staff
Airport employees that are required to get an airside pass can get a DBS Check through their employer or independently. Any airport employee that wants to submit a Basic DBS Check application can do so online, using our convenient and easy-to-use portal. Our online portal is very fast and has built-in checks to ensure accuracy.
Summary of DBS Checks for Airport Staff
Airport and airline security and safety relies on robust background checks and vetting. For this reason, airport employees must get an airside pass to enter restricted areas. One of the airside pass requirements is to get a minimum of a Basic DBS Check.
A Basic DBS Check helps to make sure that an individual does not have any unspent offences on their criminal record.
If you would like to find out more about DBS Checks for airport workers, including how to use our online portal, then get in touch today.
