Air carrier flight crew reported while being marshaled in at gate; ramp personnel violated safety area. Flight crew applied aggressive braking to avoid the ramp personnel.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported while being marshaled in at gate; ramp personnel violated safety area. Flight crew applied aggressive braking to avoid the ramp personnel.
Narrative
On Day 0 I was the PIC operating Aircraft X (ZZZ-PHL). After landing in PHL; while taxiing into Gate XX; we had a safety related incident with a ramp worker. While approaching the gate area (as per company policy) we verified we had 2 wing walkers and a guideperson in position. We scanned the gate/safety area multiple times and verbalized that the area was clear. As we were being marshaled into the gate; one of our ramp personnel walked directly (from our right to left) in front of our airplane in the safety area. From my vantage point the person disappeared under the nose and I lost sight of them. I had to rapidly apply the brakes to avoid hitting them. Not once during their time walking through the safety area did our marshaler try to stop them or try to hold up crossed wands to stop us. Only after I visually verified that the person was not hurt... (I could now see them on my (left) side of the aircraft); and we received a taxi signal from the marshaler; did we proceed the rest of the way to the stop line. After we parked the aircraft; I immediately confirmed the ramp person was ok. Because of the aggressive brake application; we opened the cockpit door and asked the number one F/A (Flight Attendant) if anyone had been knocked down or injured and if we needed the EMT's to meet us at the gate. They confirmed everyone was ok. I then called the Duty Chief Pilots; along with the union accident/incident hotline to report the situation and ask for any additional guidance. Because of my F/O's excellent situational awareness in seeing this dangerous situation develop and our quick response to it; we were able to avoid a very serious incident.
Second reporter narrative
On Day 0 the Captain and I were operating Aircraft X (ZZZ-PHL). After landing in PHL; while taxiing into Gate XX; we had a safety related incident with a ramp worker. We made sure that the safety area was clear multiple times and as we were being marshaled into the gate; one of our ramp personnel walked directly in front of our airplane in the safety area. They were close enough that we had to rapidly apply our brakes to avoid hitting them and we could barely see them over the nose. Not once during their time walking through the safety area did our marshaler try to stop them or try to hold up crossed wands and stop us.I believe this was caused by a lack/lapse in safety awareness.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.