Air Safety
Working for You 24/7 . . . the focus of Air Safety, Health & Security (ASHS) is on NWA Flight Attendants' workplace and working lives. The Local Safety Committees work directly with LEC Officers and MEC ASHS Chair and Vice Chair. Your Air Air Safety, Health & Security Committee is here to represent FA interests - both
at the Local and MEC level - in efforts to reduce injuries and accidents, promote improved working conditions and protect/support FA health and well-being - both on and off the aircraft. Fly safely, stay healthy and remain vigilant!
ASHS Action Plan:
*Establish an ASAP; *Strengthen Local Council safety efforts; *Protect and defend our contract, Section 22—Safety, Security and Health; *Advocate for OSHA workplace protections;
*Emergency Response preparedness through an effective ER Plan and Call-down Protocols in the event of a serious incident/accident; *Ensure AFA-CWA input on cabin interiors design, crew rest accommodations and training development
» Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA)
One of the many benefits of our AFA-negotiated contract, is the fact that we are entitled to the benefits afforded by all the provisions of the Federal Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). This generally results in a much higher rate of pay versus standard Workers Compensation benefits. Given the substantial increase in international flying at Delta, it is recommended that members review page 16.3 of the collective bargaining agreement in the event they are injured on the job and engaged in international flying. These benefits are substantial and worth pursuing. Further information (and forms) regarding LHWCA can be found at HERE.
Posted by soltersdorf on 07/30 at 02:36 PM» NWA-AFA PROPOSES JOINT SOLUTION TO SERVICE-RELATED INJURIES
Recent eNews “Harmony” reports and feedback have focused on the variety of challenges presented by our new onboard service , including physical difficulties and an increased potential for on-the-job injuries. Poorly designed cart set up, repetitive motion, and improper tools increase the risks for acute and chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Indeed, member feedback from our ONBOARD FEEDBACK FORM prompted additional scrutiny into workplace ergonomics by your Air Safety, Health and Security Committee.
According to Dr. James McGlothlin, director of Purdue University’s Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences graduate program and a 30-year Delta customer, these new service delivery options, while problematic, also present an opportunity to better design the cabins, service components and galley workplaces of the future.
NWA-AFA is recommending a partnership with the Delta flight attendant workforce, Delta management, and Dr. McGlothlin and his research staff at Purdue in order to identify opportunities for ergonomic enhancements and to evaluate and institute comprehensive solutions.
Read MEC President Janette Rook’s proposal to the company HERE. We are hopeful to establish a cooperative effort with all parties.
Posted by dgrey on 07/19 at 04:06 PM» ASHS Service Sub-Committee Meet On BE Service
Recently, ASHS Service Sub-Committee Chair Chris Smith met with Onboard Base Management to share your safety and service concerns regarding the new BE Service. Mutual steps toward progress and resolution so far are synopsized in THIS REPORT
BE service and safety feedback is being collected via THIS ONLINE SERVICE FORM or at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). (imbed links, if possible)
» Joint Safety Committee Meetings
Since the beginning of the year, Joint Safety Committee meetings have been held on January 13th and April 13th. Agendas, points of discussion and comprehensive meeting minutes include a tremendous volume of important information, as presented by ASHS Chair Jeanne Elliott and Vice Chair Gary Helton. Finalized and detailed meeting minutes can be found HERE.
Posted by NWA Webmaster on 05/22 at 10:49 AM» 1. Quarterly, Contractual (Section 22) Joint Safety, Security and Health Committee Meetings:
Since the beginning of the year, Joint Safety Committee meetings have been held on January 13th and April 13th. The agendas for these meetings have been made available to the MEC Officers and the finalized Meeting Minutes have been distributed to the full MEC by Dan Grey. The meeting ‘agenda’ for the April 13th meeting included the following points of discussion:
- Turbulence Integration Group: AFA’s push to reconvene the Group in light of turbulence-related injuries.
- Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) for DL Flight Attendants: continued advocacy for the establishment of an ASAP initiative for voluntary,
non-punitive safety reporting for all DL flight attendants.
- Crew Rest Provisions (as per Sections 8 and 22 of the CBA): inspection/evaluation of crew rest accommodations on B777/B767.
- Duty Manager’s Inflight Incident Notification: issues with timely reporting, current automation process and adherence to reporting protocols;
reference AFA Grievance #88-77-00-033-10 filed on March 1st.
- Regulatory Compliance: issues related to seat back pocket stowage, water bottle pick-up/stowage, alcohol consumption while deadheading,
unattended/unrestrained service carts, exit row changes/compliance and differences in interpretation/compliance by FAA’s Southeast Region.
- Cabin Maintenance Logbook/Cabin Discrepancy Logbook: changes in procedures, use of Equipment & Furnishings Manual (EFM) in early
September 2010 and maintenance items reported via Departure Report - reference Bulletin 4-10, dated April 15th.
- FA Injury Tracking and Trending: request for access to OSHA Summary Logs for all recorded injures/illnesses for DL FAs (31 March 2005 -
31 March 2010), request for FA injury trends established for last two quarters - and request for definitive guidance to be issued to all FAs on
toxic fume events, deicing exposures and availability of MSDS information (Material Safety Data Sheets) via the IFS portal.
- On-Board Manual/Announcement Handbook: review of changes planned for Revision 02-10 (l June 2010) and request for AFA review of
‘advance copy’; advised that OBM/AH revisions to be ‘shrinked wrapped’ together; discussion of new Bulletins to be issued/effective on April 15th;
discussion of FA duties/responsibilities related to exit operation and exit seat briefing added to OBM for each aircraft.
- Continuing Qualification (CQ) Training: training mock-up injuries, bidding for Sections A&B, EMV consistency, availability of accurate
training ‘agendas’, facilitator calibrations, revised Resource Guide #4 (to be issued soon), value/significance of CQ Safety Reviews (CBT pay;
30-minute refresher; 30-45 days to complete) and additional FA feedback on CQ experience - reviewed discussion points of telecon held on
March 15th with Tasha Schmitt and Tricia Ahrenholz.
- Cabin Engineering Projects: review and update of all Cabin Engineering projects underway, including PMDL fleet.
- New Business: discussion of new issues/concerns from the field, including: inconsistency of downline servicing of lavatories (particularly on
‘turns’), PSK contents and availability of CPR masks, galley wipes/food service pick-up glove shortages, ACS boarding pax before pilot
availability known, oven insert problems to OBS, challenges of ‘cross fleeting’ and FA operating on more than three aircraft type/models on May 1st,
minimum crew verification on Departure Reports and DL policy allowing use of glass in flight deck.
- Next Meeting: July 14th; guests and location to be determined.
If further information, background and/or follow-on action is needed, please do not hesitate to contact us.
» 2. Exposures to Toxic Oil Fumes:
As expressed in our letter to Richard Anderson of April 7th, a significant number of exposures have occurred since November 2009, leaving a number of our FAs with chronic neurological and respiratory illnesses. Our letter detailed the specific exposures and the affects on our FAs - and, importantly, requested a plan for corrective action by DL. The Anderson letter and response by Ken Hylander, Senior VP - Corporate Safety, of April 9th have both been posted via ‘eNews’ on April 9th. Additional information, “Aircraft Air Quality Actions - Your Union at Work”, was posted on the April 16th ‘eNews” and included a link to legislation sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to protect all aircraft occupants from harmful toxins in the cabin. On March 22nd, the U.S. Senate approved the measure as an amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act. This information was Part II of our continuing series on air quality and also available on the ASHS webpage.
As additional background, previous to the Anderson letter Mr. Hylander was queried on March 14th regarding the exposure events detailed in the Anderson letter and a request for further information and action in conducting an investigation - and, importantly, needed support to our affected FAs. He provided a detailed response on March 23rd, providing much the same information as was contained in the aforementioned letter of April 9th.
Also, a high level meeting was convened in DTW on April 7th to discuss the company’s follow-on actions, including findings by Tech Ops Engineering, and the necessity for ongoing support to affected FAs. In attendance were two of the FAs exposed (Dana Smith and Britta Mong), Deb Hanson (IFS Base Director/DTW), Bob Lederman (IFS Health & Safety Manager), Dan Marandola/Randal Luedtke (Aircraft Engineering - A330), Steve Tochilin (Environmental Health Specialist - Corporate Safety), Tricia Ahrenholz (In-Flight Safety Manager), Kevin Boston and Jeanne Elliott.
It is noted that the timeliness of the company’s inspections/analysis is suspect with respect to ‘when’ they actually removed the filters for testing as a result of the first event (12 November 2009). Those facts are being further pursued. We continue to work very closely with Judith Murawski, Researcher/Industrial Hygienist, AFA International’s Air Safety, Health & Security Department, on the technical aspects of toxic oil fumes, related contaminants, air quality research conducted in the industry and health-related affects on FAs, specifically.
It is noted that ESIS made the determination that the Workers’ Comp claims filed by our FAs affected were not ‘work related’ which is inconceivable to comprehend in light of their inflight experience and related symptoms. Their associated loss of wages has been critical in dealing with continuing medical expenses. These concerns were (again) expressed to the company via e-mail on April 17th, with a request made to follow-up as committed during the April 7th meeting in DTW. Cabin air quality and resultant exposures, in particular, remain a high priority within our Committee.
» 3. Service Subcommittee under ASHS:
With the launch of the new Business Elite service on April 1st, a determination was made to place the previously-established Service Subcommittee under the leadership of Chris Smith back into action, providing a ‘point of contact’ for Members’ feedback on their experience, concerns and suggestions with respect to the new service, its delivery, serving constraints, staffing needs, etc. A dedicated e-mail address was established: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and to date excellent feedback has been received, with the following concerns leading the list of complaints:
- Unattended/unrestrained carts even though the BE service checklist notes that ‘safe work practices’ are to be observed.
- Short staffing, particularly on the B744, and the necessity to retain the required ratio in main cabin.
- Unstable 3-tier carts presenting ergonomic issues and risk for injuries.
- Catering not necessary standardized among the aircraft types/models due to varying galley configurations and stowage constraints.
- Main cabin carts required to be positioned from Door 4 and inability to be quickly secured/stowed in turbulence, moving from row 10 to 44.
- Stress and distractions to passengers by constant movement up and down the aisles to accomplish service delivery (well over 2 hours).
The Member feedback continues to be managed/categorized and Members acknowledged with regard to the Committee taking follow-up action. We will continue to solicit feedback via ‘eNews’ and the website.
» 4. Addition to Local Safety Committee:
A strong focus has been placed on ensuring our Members are provided with need-to-know information via weekly ‘eNews’ and the ASHS webpage. We are currently working with our Webmaster to expand the webpage, in particular, ensuring timely information is at Members’ fingertips, along with valuable links to pertinent resources. With respect to fielding the myriad of Member e-mails that are directed to our attention (individually and collectively) each day, we have made a point to be responsive in pursuing such issues/concerns appropriately. These exchanges have provided us with great insight into major issues, concerns and deficiencies on the line - and have established the basis for (and necessary documentation) to support our representation of their interests in dealing with IFS management.
Posted by NWA Webmaster on 05/18 at 10:12 AM
.png){kind=small}