Safety Committee
Air Safety, Health & Security
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!
FLYING THROUGH SECURITY
FLYING THROUGH SECURITY
Sound like something you may only dream of? With strong advocacy by your
Union and the Congressionally-approved legislation, “Implementing
Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007”, this may be a reality
before too long. Known as the Flight Crew Personnel Advanced Screening System,
CrewPASS would essentially allow crewmembers to bypass long security lines
and proceed to their aircraft with no hassles.
CrewPASS includes biometric technology to identify a crewmember and has been
in its testing phase at selected U.S. airports - however, with only pilots participating.
The initial testing has been very well received and is now ready for Flight Attendant
participation. Your MEC, along with the Air Safety, Health & Security and the
Government Affairs Committees, have made a formal request to DL’s Safety and
Security leadersip to participate in the second phase of CrewPASS testing by
providing their support for the inclusion of Flight Attendants. To read the letter
sent to DL, please visit: http://www.nwaafa.org/committees/govaffairs/ and click
on the CrewPASS link to the right.
IQ REPORT . . . FROM THE FRONTLINE
05 JUNE 2009
IQ REPORT . . . TALES FROM THE FRONTLINE
As a result of NWA AFA’s ‘audit’ of the first class of Integration Qualification training (June 1-3), we would like to offer the following suggestions to all Members who will be attending IQ in the coming months.
We want to ensure everyone is well prepared for the 3-day session, having a
good understanding of exactly what subjects are included in the curriculum:
medical (AED/CPR), aircraft general, report-to-release procedures, FA Manual ‘Hot Topics’ (review of revisions), emergency procedures, Event Management Validation (six scenarios much like those in HOT) and a final ‘assessment’ (25- question exam). To assist in preparing for the training, familiarize yourself with:
* All IFS News Briefs that concern Change Alerts 1-4 and those that
will follow.
* FA Manual revisions 03-09 and 04-09 and those to follow; be aware that new revisions now become effective on the 1st of the month and no longer on the 10th.
* All current salmon bulletins (02-09, 03-09, 06-09 and 07-09) and those that will follow.
* PA Handbook and current revisions.
* New “Evacuation Preparation Checklist” (which replaced the Memory Jogger) and bring it with you to class.
* Review 105.1.1 - 1.14 of FA Manual, as revised by revision 4-09.
* Review 205.1.1 - 2.4 of FA Manual (Report-to-Release Checklist and
Briefing Checklist).
* Obtain and/or request copies of “Introduction to Integration Terminology” and “Commands at a Glance” which should be available at the IFS Base Learning Centers.
* View supplemental training video, “Unanticipated Evacuation Procedures”, via the Learning Management System (LMS) as described in IFS Memo of May 28th.
* Bring pen and paper to class - and take careful notes!
If the above information and revisions are reviewed beforehand, there should be no cause for concern, in that the IQ curriculum focuses on these specific changes that are in effect now - and others that will occur as the year continues. We all must make an effort to keep up to date on these changes and ask questions if something is not clear.
Your AFA MEC Air Safety, Health & Security Committee is working directly with In-Flight Service Training and their curriculum development team to clarify issues that come to light during the various classes, ensuring the material remains consistent, accurate and does not go beyond the scope of the approved IQ program.
Please direct any issues/concerns and questions to: MEC Air Safety, Health and Security Committee ( and ). We are committed to continuing to monitor IQ training and Member feedback. We’ll also be ‘auditing’ the Aircraft Qualification training when it commences in August 2009. Let us hear from you!
SAFETY ALERT…TURBULENCE AWARENESS!
Recently Flight #16 from KIX to HNL experienced a Code 6 turbulence encounter. Approximately four hours into the flight, the aircraft unexpectedly dropped 1,000 feet. As a result, two Flight Attendants and two passengers were taken to the hospital. One FA experienced two cervical fractures in the neck and the other significant bruising/soreness to head, shoulders, back and tailbone.
The last several months have seen a number of severe turbulence events, with injuries. Another example of the severity of these events is depicted in some vivid photos taken on a recent SEA-AMS flight which encountered Code 5+ turbulence and illustrates why galley security is a “must” as an effective countermeasure in preventing injuries. These photos are posted on the ASHS webpage: www.nwaafa.org/committees/safety/
Such experience demands ‘best practices’ to be followed on our flights everyday. Your MEC Air Safety, Health & Security Committee would like to recommend the following:
• During pre-flight briefings with the Captain, determine whether the flight deck will make PAs when Code 3+ turbulence is anticipated.
• Request the standard use of Codes 2, 4 or 6 to clarify the level of expected turbulence if it is referred to as “a little bumpy” or “light chop” to enable the appropriate responses in the cabin.
• Just to be on the safe side - when a specific timeframe is provided for expected turbulence, a good practice is to cut that time in half, allowing for necessary preparation in the cabin, galley stowage/security and taking the jumpseat.
• Ensure carrier/compartment doors are closed/latched when not in use in anticipation of any unexpected turbulence.
• When the service is completed, stow all carts – and keep counters clear of unnecessary service items. In severe turbulence, everything can become a flying missile!
• Repeat back any turbulence information provided by flight deck and/or the Purser/LFA to clarify and confirm severity, duration and immediate actions required, such as taking the jumpseat and strapping in.
• Use seat belts in crew bunks as a matter of practice. Also, in turbulence use extreme caution in responding to an interphone call while resting.
As can be seen, there’s NO time for complacency when we consider the reality of what can happen in severe turbulence encounters. Stay informed, be prepared, take quick action – and look out for one another!
Posted by NWA Webmaster on 06/05 at 10:17 PMFAA Flight Attendant Work/Rest Patterns Field Study
Thank you for your interest in the Flight Attendant Work/Rest Patterns Field Study. The U.S. Congress and President have directed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assess the risk of fatigue during flight attendant operations. Specifically, they are interested in the extent to which flight attendants are affected by length of duty periods, sleep loss, circadian rhythm disruption, workload, and nutrition.
To investigate the impact of current rest and duty time regulations on fatigue and alertness levels, the FAA’s Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) is seeking 210 full-time flight attendants to voluntarily participate in a field study in which data associated with flight attendant operations will be collected. Participants will be paid up to $400 upon completion of the study. Participation will include assessment of sleep/wake cycles, duty periods, and alertness and performance levels using both objective and subjective data collection methods over no more than one (1) month of flying. These data will be collected using a personal daily logbook on a PDA cell phone, a sleep watch, and a pedometer. Entries in the daily logbook on the PDA cell phone will take approximately one (1) hour per day.
The purpose of this field study is to systematically assess activity patterns, fatigue, and performance on- and off-duty in US-based flight attendants of various levels of seniority from network, low-cost, and regional carriers embarking on domestic and extended international flights. Information related to specific scheduling practices, operational tempo, simple performance measures, sleep/wake cycles, travel across time zones, alertness and mood levels will be collected.
The field study has been designed to help determine the extent to which cabin crews are affected by sleep loss and circadian rhythm disruption associated with current operations. This study will be the first to provide the evidence necessary to assess and address potential fatigue challenges faced by flight attendants and is critical to developing the necessary training and operational mitigations to enhance the safety of operations. The results of this field study will be presented by the FAA to the U. S. Congress.
The FAA strictly adheres to ethical standards, public law, and federal polices for safeguarding the anonymity of all research information collected from volunteer participants.
Would you like to learn more about the project and volunteer as a potential participant for the ”Flight Attendant Work/Rest Patterns Field Study?”
Postcards from the FAA! Certificate Updates / Fatigue Study
The FAAs Civil Aviation Registry is responsible for the database of flight attendant certificates. They are currently updating/verifying their database records for approximately 60,000 randomly selected flight attendants. If you receive a postcard from the FAA, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, please complete the card and return it immediately. Do not throw it away.
Of the 60,000 flight attendants that receive the postcard the FAA Flight Attendant Certificate Registry will then be used to randomly select 30,000 flight attendants to participate in the upcoming Flight Attendant Fatigue Survey.
AFA CWA has been very active in the funding and development of the survey to address flight attendant fatigue. This flight attendant fatigue survey is one part of our important ongoing efforts to improve duty and rest provisions for all flight attendants and enhance safety.
Even if you have not received the postcard, you can update your information electronically at:
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/airmen_services/
Thank you for your participation in our ongoing effort to fight fatigue and improve aviation safety.
Posted by jrook on 10/23 at 08:12 AMWHY OUR UNION MATTERS’
‘THE SAFETY ANGLE . . . . . . . WHY OUR UNION MATTERS’
CURRENT WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENTS ACHIEVED
*Contractual recognition that Flight Attendant safety, security and health are an essential part of our working environment - and the company’s accountability to work with the Union’s Safety, Security & Health Committee to identify and resolve related concerns (Section 22)br>
*Contractually-mandated notification by the company to the Union of specific events and incidents (such as Red/Yellow Emergencies) occurring daily - both on and off the aircraft - allowing our Union to advocate for required improvements - and, importantly, provide support to Flight Attendants involved.
*Contractual recognition of the Union’s Accident Investigation Team (Go Team), allowing access to and support of Members involved in a serious incident or accident; access also to the accident site in accordance with NTSB policies.
*Contractually-mandated access to our workplace - on and off the aircraft - to inspect unsafe working conditions to support needed change.
*With the Union’s Safety, Security & Health Committee recognized by the company, opportunity afforded to have a direct voice in efforts to improve the FA workplace. Recent accomplishments have included: online Inflight Incident Reporting system (allowing required reports to be submitted from any computer); improved Turbulence Action Chart, focusing on improved CRM and injury reduction; and consistent use of Contagious Disease Notification Protocols in reporting such exposures by the company, allowing timely follow-up to Members.
*Advocacy for ‘Worksafe Initiatives’ to improve our workplace and working lives over the past several years - again, attributable to contractual ‘recognition’ and a strong commitment to Flight Attendant safety, security and health, resulting in the following: advanced crew rest provisions on A330 aircraft, provisioning of onboard anti-bacterial hand cleansers, advocacy for hearing protection, lightweight (Atlas) serving carts provisioned on all international aircraft, direct input to Annual Recurrent Training programs to ensure inclusion of current topics and need-to-know policies/practices, and cabin interiors changes directly affecting FAs (for example, the B787 and reconfigured B757 and A319 aircraft).
*Continuing advocacy for the reduction of OJIs through efforts to improve equipment and practices, focusing on repetitive motion, exertion and stress-strain exposures. This also includes the obligation by the company to provide the Union with OSHA-reportable injury/illness logs for all crew bases and the use of such data by our Union to support needed changes.
Single Service Cart Update
Your Voices Were Heard:
Single Service Cart Summit a Success
On Friday, May 16, our MEC Air Safety, Health and Security (ASHS) Chair and ASHS Service Subcommittee Chair , along with Council 95 President and MSP flight attendant Deana Klein, met with Northwest management to resolve ongoing concerns about weight, maneuverability and injuries resulting from the “single service cart” concept launched on April 8, 2008.
As a direct result of this meeting, provisions in Section 22 of our contract (Safety, Security and Health) and your continued feedback to ASHS, we are pleased to report that, beginning immediately, the Company has accepted and implemented our recommendation that, whenever possible, two flight attendants work one single service cart. More details on this and other planned changes and improvements will be presented in a joint NWA/AFA-CWA email communication this week.
Even with these new service guidelines in place, your feedback remains invaluable. Follow these steps to file complaints and offer suggestions:
- Submit your concerns and opinions to Northwest Inflight Services via the Flight Attendant Communication Center:
- 1-866-612-0001 option 2;
- In MSP, 612-726-6990;
- ;
- or on ATLAS
- Submit your concerns and opinions to the MEC ASHS Service Subcommittee Chair Chris Smith at:
- or online via the Service Carts Feedback form, created especially for this purpose
Union representatives are not provided with FACC data, so you must submit your comments to both the FACC and AFA-CWA.
Thanks to everyone who participated by providing input to ASHS. You have helped us achieve these changes together.
Fly safely, stay healthy and remain vigilant!
Posted by Communications on 05/18 at 02:53 PM