A Mechanic working one of two trucks involved with deicing a B737-800; reports on communication problems with the Flight Crew and improving procedures to prevent deicing fluid being drawn into the air conditioning systems.

Narrative

Contacted the crew of Aircraft X; advised that we were Truck XX and asked if he was ready to push back and configured for deice. The bucket operator said there was a problem with a snow bank and the crew was told to push deep. When they stopped; the crew asked 'Is this OK?' I then asked the bucket operator if we were OK. He said no; and told me if they could push back 10 more FT. I asked the crew to go back another 10 FT. The crew told me that the Tug Driver did not want to move the aircraft because we were too close. I then proceeded to back up the deice truck. I did not have a clear view of what the other deice truck was doing; but their truck was close to the rear right-hand fuselage area. The Tug Driver finished the push. We were waiting off the nose area so we cold get some of the snow off the aircraft's radome and forward flight compartment area. We waited about 2 minutes because the Tug Driver was not leaving the tug. When the Tug Driver started to leave; I called back to the aircraft with our fluid types; freeze points; concentrations; and told them we would call in our start time when we got to the left wing root. There was a lot of radio chatter on all 3 radios I was monitoring. The bucket operator then proceeded to clear the snow on the forward section of the aircraft after we received no objections. That's when I got a call from the crew asking; did we call configured for deice? I asked the flight crew if they were not configured for deicing? That is when I heard they wanted to return to the gate. As we moved out away from the aircraft; I saw the other truck moving away from the right wing area of the aircraft. The main contributions to this incident were communications; procedures; and conditions. There were no clear communications between all the parties involved. The proper 2-truck de-ice procedures were not followed; and the snow clean-up conditions around the aircraft were a driving and safety hazard. Since this event; there were updates to the procedures manual concerning communications and 2-truck deicing procedures; which more clearly define everyone's role and communication requirements. Improvements have also been made to the trucks such as clocks; and placarding which will aid the driver in his tasks. As for snow removal procedures; I have not heard anything about that. One other preventive task that would aid in not repeating this incident is to have the crew turn off the aircraft air conditioning before being pushed back for deicing.