In an agreement signed August 7, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pledge to work together to improve the working conditions of flight attendants while aircraft are in operation. Charles N. Jeffress, OSHA Administrator, and Jane F. Garvey, FAA Administrator, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a ceremony at the Department of Labor.
As a first step, the two agencies are forming a team to review OSHA standards on recordkeeping, bloodborne pathogens, noise, sanitation, hazard communication and access to employee exposure and medical records. The team will also look at whistleblower protections. The joint team is to report its findings on applicability of these OSHA requirements by Dec. 6.
Based upon the recommendations of the joint team, FAA will issue a proposed new policy statement on application of OSHA regulations to flight attendant safety and health and request public comment. In turn, OSHA has agreed to consult with the FAA before proposing a standard that would apply to these employees to determine whether aviation safety would be compromised.
Under the MOU, OSHA will continue to enforce its standards for other aviation industry employees, such as maintenance and ground support personnel. FAA will continue to cover the flight deck crew, e.g., pilots and co-pilots. The MOU is available on OSHA’s website under “What’s New” or through the subject index under Memorandums of Understanding.
From the Daily Regulatory Reporter
