OSHA, Airline Ground Safety Panel Renew Ground Crew Safety Alliance

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) renewed its alliance with the Airline Ground Safety Panel to address hazards and worker injuries relating to operating aviation ground support equipment.

A baggage handler was thrown from a tractor like this one. OSHa and the airline industry are working to prevent these kinds of deaths and injuries.

The Airline Ground Safety Panel is a joint industry and labor partnership. The panel consists of 11 airline companies and three unions representing 350,000 workers, representing about 85% of the industry.

“Our continued Alliance with the Airline Ground Safety Panel will focus on preventing worker injuries caused by slips, trips and falls and being struck by objects,” said David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “We look forward to working with the panel to educate and train employers and workers on preventing workplace injuries.”

Two Year Agreement With Airline Industry

During the two-year agreement, the alliance will develop fact sheets highlighting ways to prevent slips, trips and falls and other hazards while operating airport ground safety equipment such as hi-lift trucks and pushback tugs.

The alliance will also conduct studies to improve the safety of ground personnel. It will also study communications and issues associated with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.

The three labor organizations are represented on the panel – the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers; Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO; and the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO. The unions praised the Alliance for furthering the shared goal to ensure that all workers return home to their families each day as healthy as when they went to work.

Airlines for America, a panel participant representing the airline industry, also expressed support for the Alliance. Airlines for America said that its member airlines are pleased to be a part of this voluntary, collaborative program with OSHA and labor union partners to enhance airline employee safety.