The Basics

 

In 1975, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) claimed exclusive jurisdiction over workplace safety and health for all aircraft crewmembers. Unfortunately, this decision prevented the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – the agency that regulates the safety and health of most U.S. workers – from protecting aircraft crewmembers.

 

As a result, for over 25 years flight attendants have suffered the effects of inconsistent, mostly voluntary occupational safety and health programs. In fact, recent data obtained from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show clearly that aircraft cabins are highly dangerous workplaces, with flight attendant injury/illness rates many times higher than those experienced by employees in private industry as a whole.

 

Finally, after years of pressure exerted by flight attendant unions, the FAA and OSHA began addressing the unfair situation created by the 1975 exclusive jurisdiction claim. On August 7, 2000, FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and OSHA Assistant Secretary Charles Jeffress signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that directed FAA and OSHA to “establish a procedure for coordinating and supporting enforcement … with respect to the working conditions of employees on aircraft in operation … and for resolving jurisdictional questions."

 

Unfortunately, the January 2001 change of administration in Washington led to a lengthy delay implementing the MOU. Even worse, the latest FAA position is for yet another voluntary program. Undaunted, AFA continues to work together with other flight attendant unions, members of Congress, and the Departments of Transportation and Labor to ensure that flight attendants will eventually receive the same legal and enforceable safety and health protections as other U.S. workers.

 

On September 19, 2005, AFA filed a complaint in District Court against Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Marion Blakely for their failure to ensure the health and safety of flight attendants and other employees working in the airline industry. AFA’s complaint asks the court to issue an order declaring that the FAA has failed to exercise its asserted jurisdiction to establish occupational health and safety standards for flight attendants and crewmembers, which has resulted in the Secretary of Labor having failed to fulfill her statutory duty under the OSH Act to ensure healthful working conditions for flight attendants.

 

                                                                                                                                                    
AFA Activity and Hot Topics

 

AFA-CWA comments on proposed revisions to OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: Public hearing in Pittsburgh, PA on March 31, 2010

AFA-CWA press release, September 19, 2005: Flight Attendants File Suit Against Federal Agencies.

 

Feb. 12, 2003 AFA Presentation: Flight Attendant Injuries and Illnesses

 

Feb. 5, 2003 Letter: Transportation Trades Dept., AFL-CIO, to Transportation Secretary Mineta & Labor Secretary Chao

References to News Articles

Feb. 24, 2003 Air Safety Week: Plea for jurisdiction [AFA members-only access]

 

Feb. 17, 2003 Air Safety Week: Flight Attendants Injured at Four Times Overall U.S. Industry Rate [AFA members-only access]


More Information

 

Jul.-Aug. 2002 Cabin Crew Safety; Study of Airline’s Flight Attendants Finds More Than Half of Injuries Affect Muscles and Bones in Back, Neck, Shoulders; A report on the Canadian study says that the primary risk factors were the handling of passenger baggage, the design of the galley, the design and maintenance of service trolleys, and flight attendant seating. [Register free on-line with Flight Safety Foundation]

 

Jun. 18, 2002 FAA-OSHA Aviation Safety and Health Partnership Action Plan

 

Apr. 16, 2002 Letter: DOT Inspector General to Congressman DeFazio

 

Sep. 26, 2001 Letter: DOT Inspector General to FAA

 

Dec. 2000 FAA-OSHA Joint Team First Report

 

Aug. 8, 2000 FAA-OSHA Memorandum of Understanding

 

Jan.–Feb. 2000 Cabin Crew Safety: Working in, Around Aircraft Cabins Requires Awareness of Fall Prevention ; The availability of limited data on slips, trips and falls during normal aircraft operations complicates efforts to improve the prevention of injury to crewmembers and passengers in the cabin environment. Nevertheless, airlines periodically should review fall-prevention strategies and related training of flight attendants and other workers. [Register free on-line with Flight Safety Foundation]

 

Dept. of Transportation Docket (search on Docket number FAA-2003-14578)

 

Jul.–Aug. 1992 Cabin Crew Safety: Aviation Safety Programs Should Boost Occupational Safety Awareness in the Cabin; Air carriers should consider implementing comprehensive occupational safety programs that can, in the long run, reduce losses and increase revenues. [Register free on-line with Flight Safety Foundation]

 

Nov.–Dec. 1991 Cabin Crew Safety: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Menace to Health; Repetitive wrist motions, many of which are an intrinsic part of a flight attendant’s daily routine, can result in an occupational disability. [Register free on-line with Flight Safety Foundation]

 

Sep.–Oct. 1991 Cabin Crew Safety: Occupational Stress in the Aircraft Cabin; Occupational demands, work environment and atmospheric conditions all contribute to the stress of the cabin crew member. [Register free on-line with Flight Safety Foundation]

 

1975 FAA Federal Register Notice