AN ACR PLT RPTS THAT AT SEA DURING PUSHBACK BY A CONTRACT CREW; A FELLOW CONTRACT EMPLOYEE SPRAYED WATER ON THE TUG DRIVER CAUSING HIM TO EXIT THE TUG.

Narrative

AFTER BRAKE RELEASE WHILE WAITING FOR RAMP CTL TO CLR OUR PUSHBACK FROM GATE XX IN SEA ON AUG/SAT/06. I NOTICED A STREAM OF WATER COMING FROM BELOW THE FLT DECK ON THE RAMP AIMED AT THE TUG DRIVER. I THEN NOTICED THE TUG DRIVER BECOME ANNOYED AND JUMP OFF THE TUG TO KEEP FROM GETTING DOUSED. I OPENED THE WINDOW AND FOUND THAT ANOTHER CONTRACT EMPLOYEE HAD THE POTABLE WATER HOSE IN HIS HAND AND CONTINUED TO SPRAY THE TUG DRIVER UNTIL I SHOUTED AT HIM TO STOP. I TOLD HIM IN A RATHER STERN TONE 'DON'T EVER DO THAT AGAIN.' HE LOOKED UP SHEEPISHLY AND NODDED IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO MY CHASTISEMENT; COILED UP THE HOSE LINE AND WALKED OUT OF SIGHT. I CALLED FOR BOTH ACR AND CONTRACTOR SUPVRS TO THE RESPOND PLANESIDE AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED I EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED INCLUDING THE MOST CRUCIAL POINT THAT THE TUG DRIVER HAD JUMPED OFF THE TUG EVEN THOUGH THE ACFT BRAKES HAD BEEN RELEASED TO HIS CTL. I TOLD THE SUPVRS THAT I DIDN'T THINK THAT I NEEDED TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS POINT BUT CONTINUED JUST IN CASE THE POINT WAS LOST ON THEM; THAT SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED OR THE ACFT DAMAGED IF THE TUG HAD JERKED OR ROLLED DUE TO BEING IN GEAR. I TOLD THEM THAT I TRUSTED THAT THE SITUATION WOULD BE REMEDIED. I DO NOT FAULT THE TUG DRIVER AS HE WAS ON THE RECEIVING END OF THE SPRAY; BUT I DO NOT THINK THAT SUCH JUVENILE; WILLFUL AND WANTON; AND DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE TOLERATED IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WITH HVY EQUIP. ACCIDENTS I UNDERSTAND; ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING ON THE FLT SEVERAL YRS AGO WHERE AN ALASKA RAMPER WAS KILLED AFTER BEING PINNED AGAINST THE ACFT AND A TUG. BUT I DO NOT WANT TO EVER HAVE TO SEE WHAT I SAW DUE TO SOMEONE'S PURPOSEFUL DISREGARD FOR BASIC SAFETY. HIRE PEOPLE THAT WILL TAKE THE JOB SERIOUSLY AND FIRE ANYONE THAT PURPOSELY DISREGARDS SAFETY TO SEND A MESSAGE TO ANYONE ON THE RAMP THAT IT IS UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR.