FAA Proposed Policy Statement to Bring OSHA to the Cabin
AFA Background and Summary of the Federal Aviation Administration Policy Statement
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards for Aircraft Cabin Crewmembers
Purpose of the Proposed Policy
- Enhance Occupational Safety and Health in the aircraft cabin (does not include the flight deck), without jeopardizing aviation safety
- Establish extent of OSHA requirements for cabin crew onboard aircraft in operation
AFA Road to OSHA in the Cabin
| 1958 | Federal Aviation Act: prescribe regulations and standards to promote safe flight |
| 1970 | OSH Act: assure safe and healthful working conditions |
| 1975 | FAA Notice: Authority to promote safety covers OSH of aircraft crewmembers |
| 1990 | AFA filed petition for rulemaking with FAA for cabin OSH protections and FAA denies petition for rulemaking in 1997. |
| 1999 | AFA forms OSHA Now coalition to pressure Clinton Administration to provide the same safety and health standards afforded other workers. |
| 2000 | FAA and OSHA sign MOU, write report addressing existing OSHA standards |
| 2001 | Bush Administration would not replace 1975 FAA Notice and allow OSHA authority and protections in the cabin as called for in the FAA/OSHA MOU |
| 2009 | AFA, working with Senate and House Committees, drafts language requiring safety and health in the cabin; Senate language directs the FAA to resume work on the 2000 MOU. |
| 2012 | Congress directs FAA to begin developing a policy statement to apply OSHA requirements to aircraft crewmembers |
Policy Announcement and Implementation
- November 30, 2012 FAA Policy Statement replaces the 1975 FAA Notice
- Proposed policy to be published Dec. 7, 2012 for public comment.
- 30-day comment period ending Jan. 6, 2013, must be concluded before implementation.
- AFA International Office will file comments with input from AFA leaders and members at each of our represented airlines.
- Submit input at [email protected].
- FAA and OSHA will meet with AFA in December to discuss implementation.
Summary of Policy
OSHA Regulations that will be enforced in the cabin, and continued coordination to further safety and health standards for Flight Attendants.
- Hazard Communication (29 CFR 1910.1200): Written programs, employee training, container labeling, safety data sheets
- Bloodborne Pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030): Written exposure control plan, hand washing facilities, PPE (e.g., latex gloves)
- Occupational Noise Exposure (29 CFR 1910.95): Noise monitoring, training, baseline and annual hearing tests, PPE (e.g., ear plugs)
- Injury/Illness Recordkeeping (29 CFR 1904): will be enforced by OSHA
- Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records (29 CFR 1910.1020): Right of employees and their representatives to access exposure and medical records associated with their case.
- Anti-Discrimination, OSHAct Sec. 11(c): aka OSHA Whistleblower protection
- Subsequent FAA/OSHA MOU to identify where other OSHA requirements may apply
Submit your input for official comments in support of OSHA in the cabin. Write to [email protected].
