Ramp Agent reported procedural deviations and communications problems resulted in maintenance starting an aircraft engine at the gate without anti collision lights illuminated and without properly equipped ground safety observers in place; allowing ramp personnel to approach the area of the running engine.

Narrative

I was parking a ramp vehicle in the vicinity of the gate; and noticed a Maintenance employee near the aft of the airplane; CR7. As I exited my enclosed vehicle; it was evident that the airplane had at least one engine running; so I turned my attention to the Maintenance employee I had noticed earlier. I observed him with his hand at his sides; apparently monitoring the engine run. He was not indicating with appropriate hand signals that an engine was running; and no one else was at the rear of the airplane to make such a hand signal. I then positioned myself near the nose of the airplane; where I could fully confirm that the number one engine was in fact running; which it was. I then began making my way aft; around the right side of the airplane; where I noticed that the airplane's anti-collision beacons were not activated. From my new vantage point; I could now confirm that the number two engine was also running. I continued walking aft; around the right containment zone of the airplane; when it became evident that the engines were accelerating significantly above idle. Turning away from the airplane; I noticed a fuel truck had pulled away from servicing the airplane; and I briefly interacted with the driver; who told me that he had not been made aware of an engine run; and that 'these guys do this all the time.' Realizing Maintenance was performing engine run-ups; I immediately called Person A; Senior Manager; who answered immediately; and advised him of my observations; to which he replied that he could hear the run-up through the phone; and that I was absolutely correct about my assessment of the situation; and that they should have taken the airplane to a blast fence. Person A told me he would contact Person B; ZZZ Manager. I ended our call; and proceeded towards the Maintenance employee at the aft of the airplane. When I arrived; and with the engines still cycling up from idle; I confronted him about doing a run-up at a gate; and that he should be using a handwand to indicate an engine-run condition; and that the anti-collision beacons should be activated. At this point he shrugged; and told me to 'do what I gotta do.' I walked away; at which time Person A called my phone; and told me management had been notified; and I told him of my interaction with the Maintenance employee. He said he would pass it on immediately; and we ended the call. I then returned to the aft of the airplane; and recorded a short video of my observations. I then forwarded my video to Person B; safety manager; with a brief synopsis. After several minutes; the engines were shut down; at which time I motioned one of the ramp crew members over; and asked if she had been made aware of the run-up. Another employee was within earshot; and she indicated that they were surprised when the engine was started; that they were not advised of a run. A third female joined the conversation; and I was told that they were in the process of entering the aft cargo hold; (beltloader can be seen in video) which on a CRJ; is immediately beneath the number one engine; when the engine was started. I introduced myself; and advised that they contact their union representatives immediately. I then texted both Person A and Person B the new revelations of the employees working in close proximity to a running engine; which was responded in the affirmative. First; my compliments to Person A; for his quick understanding and action on my behalf. It is impossible for me to characterize this even as anything other than gross negligence; to the point of malice; based upon my interaction with the mechanic; and his blasé attitude toward my recommendations. This; added to the failure of the person in the cockpit who neglected to activate the anti-collision beacon prior to engine start-up; the failure of the mechanic on the ground to use proper hand signals to indicate an engine run; the acceleration of both engines at an interior gate); and the overwhelming failure of the mechanics to inform literally ANYONE in the vicinity of their plans to run an engine. Honestly; these guys should lose their ticket. Reckless.