I. Alliance Background
Date Signed
November 12, 2002
Date Renewed
April 21, 2004
Overview
Signatories of the Alliance:
Air Canada
Airtran Airways
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
American Trans Air
America West Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines Jetblue Airways
Midwest Express Airlines
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
U.S. Airways
National Safety Council, International Air Transportation Section
The Airline Industry Alliance addresses ergonomic issues associated with the handling of passenger
checked baggage. It explores ways to promote communication, outreach, training, education and a
national dialogue to reduce ergonomic-related injuries.
Implementation Team Members
| OSHA: |
|
| |
|
Brett Besser
Cathy Cronin
Bob Curtis
Brentley Donaldson
Lee Anne Jillings
Lisa Ramber
Bill Wright |
Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC)
Office of Training and Education (OTE)
SLTC
OTE
Office of Outreach Services and Alliances (OOSA)
OOSA
Region VIII |
| |
|
| Airlines: |
|
| |
|
Cheryl Beasley
Barry Brown
Linda Christopherson
Kristin Green
Cathi Hollister
Phil Isom
Cindy Keiser
Ray McCleary
Kim McDaniel
Penny Prince
Tim Racicot
Christopher San Giovanni
Chris Snyder
Tracy Sora
Kevin Summerlin
Jim Swartz
Chris Turner
Debra Vujasin
Terri Weiland
Ashley West |
AirTran
Southwest Airlines
America West
United Airlines
Air Canada
ATA Airlines
Continental Airlines
US Airways
Southwest Airlines
American Airlines
Continental Airlines
JetBlue
AirTran
Air Canada
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Alaska Airlines
US Airways
Midwest Express
Delta Air Lines |
| |
|
| National Safety Council: |
|
| |
|
| B.J. LoMastro |
|
| |
|
| Contributors: |
|
| |
|
| Kym Pond |
Contractor for OSHA, SLTC |
Evaluation Period
November 12, 2003 - November 13, 2004
II. Implementation Team Meetings
March 23, 2004
July 29, 2004 |
Team meeting
Team meeting |
III. Results
- Events and Products
Training and Education Goal
- Continue the development of an industry training manual (referred to as a training module in the
Alliance signed 11/12/02), with OSHA input, for employees on the handling of checked baggage and
make it available, without charge, to the aviation industry, OSHA, and other interested parties.
Products
Ergonomics for Baggage Handlers Training Manual
The Alliance is developing a training manual for aviation baggage handlers on how to handle large
volumes of passenger checked baggage safely and reduce the chance for injuries on the job. The draft
manual covers: injury prevention, forces that affect the body, safety workplaces and identification
and reducing risk factors and proper body mechanics for handling checked baggage. The Planeside
Loading and Unloading and Ticketing Counter sections of the manual have been completed and the
Alliance is developing the baggage make-up room section.
Outreach and Communication Goals
- With OSHA's input, commence development of an industry Awareness/Education Program for passengers,
including, for example, a "Fact Sheet" with suggestions on how to pack baggage so it is easier to
handle while traveling.
Products
"2 Heavy 2 Lift" Baggage Tag
A "2 Heavy 2 Lift" baggage tag was created by the implementation team. The heavy bag tag alerts
travelers about the injuries that can be incurred from carrying heavy luggage. The tag was
distributed with the National Safety Council's 2004 Safety Congress and Expo attendee materials. In
addition, the Alliance Program logo has been added to the tag.
"A Guide to Packing for Business and Personal Travel" Pamphlet
"A Guide to Packing for Business and Personal Travel" pamphlet, based on the baggage tag, has been
developed. The pamphlet has more in-depth information, in a question and answer format, for airline
passengers to think about and use on how to properly pack their baggage to avoid muscle strains and
pulls. After the document is finalized, the airlines can post the pamphlet on their Web sites and/or
print and distribute the document to travelers. The document includes the Alliance participants' and
the Alliance Program's logos.
- Define the process for interested parties to participate with and obtain information about the
Alliance, including, for example, a process for providing feedback and comments.
Products
Interested Parties Process and List
OSHA has added an Interested Parties section to the OSHA, Airline Industry and National Safety
Council, International Air Transport Section Alliance Web page on OSHA's Web site. This section is
for aviation industry safety and health professionals or organizations that are not signatories to
the Alliance agreement, but would like to receive information concerning activities of the
OSHA/Airline Industry Alliance.
- Work with OSHA to provide expertise on the periodic review and update of OSHA's Baggage Handling
eTool and the Airline Industry Safety & Health Topics page.
Products
Airline Industry Safety and Health Topics Page and Baggage Handling eTool
The Airline Industry Safety and Health Topics page on OSHA’s Web site was developed by OSHA with
input from the Alliance members, provides employers and employees in the aviation industry with
information and assistance to help create a healthy and safe working environment. The Baggage
Handling eTool on OSHA’s Web site was updated by representatives from the Alliance and OSHA,
describes many of the common hazards associated with the baggage handling process as well as
provides possible solutions that are ranked according to their feasibility to the operations. The
OSHA-Airline Industry and National Safety Council, International Air Transport Section
Implementation Team reviewed and provided comments on the tools in 2004 and the SLTC has
incorporated the comments into the tools.
Promoting the National Dialogue on Workplace Safety and Health Goals
- Conduct a design consultation/seminar with and disseminate information to airports, manufacturers,
and other interested parties to share information about, and promote consideration of, ergonomic
issues related to airport design.
Events
76th Annual American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Conference and Exposition, Las Vegas,
Nevada, June 21-24, 2004
Kim McDaniel and Ashley West attended the AAAE's annual conference and took part in a panel
discussion "What Do You Do When You Remodel Airports" and discussed the OSHA-Airlines Industry
Alliance, challenges faced by the airlines and working with the airport authorities.
- Educate interested parties on and solicit ideas for improvement of ergonomics associated with the
handling of checked baggage during a national safety related conference, such as the National Safety
Council's National Safety Congress and Exposition.
Events
National Safety Council Congress and Expo, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana,
September 13, 2004
During the National Safety Congress and Expo, the OSHA and Airline Industry Alliance had a workshop,
"OSHA/Airlines Industry Ergonomic Alliance." The workshop included an overview of today’s baggage
handling process and the current challenges and impacts on the airline industry. The workshop
presenters also updated the attendees on the group’s activities and discussed the Alliance’s ongoing
work, including the development of information for airline passengers on handling heavy bags,
discussions with airport authorities regarding airport design, updates to the baggage handling eTool
and the continued development of an ergonomics-training manual for airline employees.
The following Alliance members were part of the workshop panel:
- Cheryl Beasley, Air Tran Airways
- Linda Christopherson, America West Airlines
- Lee Anne Jillings, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, OSHA
- Ray McCleary, US Airways
- Penny Prince, American Airlines
- Ashley West, Delta Air Lines
OSHA Compliance Assistance Training Sessions, Falls Church, Virginia, June 15, 2004
Jim Swartz spoke during a workshop on June 15 at the 2004 OSHA Compliance Assistance Training
Sessions held in Falls Church, Virginia. The conference was held for OSHA's management, including
Regional Administrators and Area Directors. During the workshop titled, "Marketing Cooperative
Programs," he discussed the use of OSHA’s cooperative programs’ logos and promotional materials to
help inform, educate and effectively communicate the Program’s successes to the public.
Jim Swartz, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Presentations
Jim Swartz, Director of Corporate Safety for Delta Air Lines, Inc., made many presentations to
national and international industry groups and other airlines about the Alliance Program and its
intent to work with airports, manufacturers, and other interested parties about ergonomic issues
related to airport design. Following is a list of presentations and meetings that were held:
- Revitalising Health & Safety In Air Transport (RHSAT) Strategy Group Meeting, November 2003
- European Aviation Group for Occupational Safety and Health (EaGOSH), Frankfurt, Germany, November
2003
- National Safety Council’s International Air Transport Section Executive Committee (ARTEX),
Orlando, Florida, February 2004
- EaGOSH, Frankfurt, Germany, May 2004
- ARTEX, Vancouver, British Columbia, June 2004
- Heart of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia, September 2004
- ARTEX, Dallas, Texas, October 2004
- Underwing Partner Safety Leadership Team, Jacksonville, Florida, October 2004
- Global Partners in Safety, Atlanta, Georgia, November 2004
Products
OSHA, Airline Industry and the National Safety Council’s International Air Transport Section
Alliance Web Page
The OSHA and Airline Industry Alliance Web page on OSHA’s Web site contains information on the
Alliance, Products and Resources, Activities and Events, and Milestones and Successes. The page is
updated regularly.
Alliance-Related Publications
Information and news releases on the signing of the OSHA, Airline Industry and the National Safety
Council’s International Air Transport Section Alliance renewal agreement and the activities of the
Alliance have appeared in a number of Safety and health publications. See the chart in this report
under "Alliance Program Reach" for additional information.
- Executive Summary
The OSHA, Airline Industry and the National Safety Council’s International Air Transport Section
Alliance attained a number of achievements during its second year. When the groups renewed the
Alliance on April 20, 2004, they decided to continue to define very specific goals for the agreement
and to define the projects that would meet the goals of the Alliance. During the past year, the
Alliance implementation team has been working to meet the renewal agreement's goals and has produced
and coordinated some very successful products and events.
The Alliance participants addressed the issue of passengers getting hurt by over packing and
handling their luggage. As a result, the Alliance developed the "2 Heavy 2 Lift" baggage tag and
draft "A Guide to Packing for Business and Personal Travel" pamphlet. The tag is a promotional piece
that was designed to quickly alert passengers to the potential dangers of heavy bags. It was
distributed in the National Safety Council's 2004 Safety Congress and Expo attendee materials. The
draft pamphlet has more in-depth information, in a question and answer format, for airline
passengers to think about and use on how to properly pack their baggage to avoid muscle strains and
pulls.
Through serving as members of the editorial boards for the Agency’s eTool for Baggage Handling and
the Airlines Industry Safety and Health Topics page, the implementation team also worked with OSHA’s
SLTC to update and revise the electronic assistance products. Both tools contain up-to-date
information for the aviation industry employers, employees and the public. In addition, the aviation
industry is incorporating the Baggage Handling eTool into training programs to educate employees on
how avoid injuries by using proper lifting techniques while handling checked baggage.
The Alliance members have continued to effectively communicate their commitment to the Alliance
Program and protecting the safety and health of aviation industry employees and improving the safety
and health of the workplace. For example, the Alliance developed and participated in a workshop
during the 2004 National Safety Congress. "OSHA/Airlines Industry Alliance," was held on September
13 in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the workshop, the speakers, including Lee Anne Jillings, OSHA,
Linda Christopherson, America West Airlines and Ray McCleary, US Airways, presented an overview of
today’s baggage handling process and updated the attendees on the Alliance’s ongoing work.
OSHA’s leadership and Airline participants including Assistant Secretary John Henshaw, Paula White,
Director of the Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs, and Jim Swartz, Director of Corporate
Safety, Delta Air Lines, Inc. continued to promote the Airline Industry Alliance example of industry
and government working together successfully. Internationally, the United Kingdom's Health and
Safety Executive Group (HSE) is monitoring the activities of the Alliance and is educating airline
passengers about excessive baggage. The HSE has added safety and health information to its Web site
at http://www.hse.gov.uk/airtransport/index.htm and OSHA has linked to this page from the
OSHA-Airline Industry Alliance web page.
Members of the implementation team are also using the information that the Alliance has developed to
help educate others in the aviation industry. Southwest Airlines has been working with the
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to inform its employees about the proper way to handle
and move baggage. The TSA is also recognizing the value of the Airlines Alliance and is signing
regional Alliance agreements including one with OSHA's Region II Buffalo Area Office and the Buffalo
Airport in New York.
A task group of airline industry ergonomic experts has completed the Planeside Loading and Unloading
and Ticketing Counter Sections of the Ergonomics Training Manual. The group will be developing a
baggage make-up room section in the upcoming year. The manual covers: injury prevention, forces that
affect the body, safety workplaces and identification and reducing risk factors and proper body
mechanics for handling checked baggage.
- Alliance Program Reach
| Type of Activity (Conference,
Training, Print and Electronic Distribution, etc.) |
Number of Individuals Reached or
Trained |
| Jim Swartz, Delta Air Lines, Inc., made the following
presentations: |
|
| |
November 2003, Revitalising Health & Safety In Air Transport (RHSAT)
Strategy Group Meeting, United Kingdom |
|
50 |
| |
November 2003, European Aviation Group for Occupational Safety
and Health (EaGOSH), Frankfurt, Germany |
|
20 |
| |
February 2004, National Safety Council’s International Air
Transport Section Executive Committee, (ARTEX)Orlando, Florida |
|
50 |
| |
May 2004, EaGOSH, Frankfurt, Germany |
|
20 |
| |
June 2004, ARTEX, Vancouver, British Columbia |
|
50 |
| |
September 2004, Heart of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia |
|
30 |
| |
October 2004, ARTEX, Dallas, Texas |
|
50 |
| |
October 2004, Underwing Partner Safety Leadership Team,
Jacksonville, Florida |
|
30 |
| |
November 2004, Global Partners in Safety. Atlanta, Georgia |
|
15 |
| April 27, 2004, OSHA, "Airline Group Renew Alliance,"
OSHA Press Release |
25 News Services |
| April 29, 2004, "OSHA Renews Airline Alliance," BNA
Occupational Health and Safety Reporter |
25,000 |
| May 1, 2004, "Airline Group and AIHA Renew Alliances
with OSHA," OSHA’s bi-weekly e-newsletter; QuickTakes |
45,000 |
| May 2004, "2 Heavy 2 Lift Tag Printed," "Safety
Focus," Business and Industry Safety News, National Safety Council |
5,000 |
June 15, 2004, OSHA Compliance Assistance Training
Sessions, Falls Church, Virginia
Speaker: Jim Swartz, Delta Airlines |
30 |
June 21-24, 2004, 76th Annual American Association of
Airport Executives Conference and Exposition, Las Vegas Nevada,
Speakers:
Kim McDaniel, Southwest Airlines
Ashley West, Delta Air Lines |
50 |
September 13, 2004, "OSHA/Airlines Industry Alliance," National
Safety Council Congress and Expo, Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Speakers:
- Cheryl Beasley, Air Tran Airways
- Linda Christopherson, America West Airlines
- Lee Anne Jillings, OSHA
- Ray McCleary, US Airways
- Penny Prince, American Airlines
- Ashley West, Delta Air Lines
|
|
50 |
United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive Group (HSE)
Presentation
Speaker: Ashley West, Delta Air Lines |
10 |
| OSHA and Airline Industry Alliance Web page on OSHA’s
Web site |
4,000 |
| Baggage Handling eTool |
18,000 |
| Airline Industry OSHA Safety and Health Topics page |
3,600 |
| TOTAL |
101,055 |
IV. Upcoming Milestones
OSHA, the Airline Industry and the National Safety Council’s International Air Transport Section
agreed to renew the Alliance for another year. The Alliance agreement has a new set of very specific
issues and projects that the implementation team will address.
The Alliance will continue developing the industry training manual "Ergonomics Training Manual" for
the handling of checked baggage and make it available, without charge. In addition, the manual's
completed sections for the ramp and ticket counter will be posted on the National Safety Council's
Web site for aviation employers, employees and the public. After the manual's final section is
finished (baggage make-up room), the implementation team will use the document as the basis for
developing a module for OSHA's Baggage Handling eTool. The implementation team will also
periodically review and update of OSHA’s Baggage Handling eTool and the Airline Industry Safety &
Health Topics page.
Though the Alliance, the implementation team will build on the dialogue that began with the
presentation at the annual conference of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in
June 2004 and continue to work with airports, manufacturers, and other interested parties to address
airport design issues. The AAAE Operational Safety Committee is discussing how it should define its
involvement in the Alliance and the issues that it should address regarding employee safety,
including ergonomics.
The Alliance is also planning on speaking at a number of conferences and meetings in 2005 including
the NSC's 2005 National Safety Congress, the American Industrial Hygiene Association's AIHce in
Anaheim, California and the NSC’s International Air Transport Section (ARTEX) meeting in Edinburgh,
Scotland.
The "2 Heavy 2 Lift" baggage tag and, when it is finalized, “A Guide to Packing for Business and
Personal Travel” pamphlet will be promoted and distributed by the Alliance in a number of ways. The
airlines may can post the pamphlet on their Web sites and/or print and distribute the document to
travelers. In addition, OSHA will link to the document on the Airline Industry Safety and Health
Topics page and from the OSHA, Airline Industry and National Safety Council, International Air
Transport Section Alliance Web page. The Agency is also planning on distributing the pamphlet from
OSHA’s Alliance Program exhibit booth during conferences and expositions.
Report prepared by: Lisa Ramber, Alliance Coordinator, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances,
February 21, 2005
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