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        You are here: Home / Archives for Committees / Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

        ASAP Event Review Committee Alternate Representative Position

        February 25, 2019 09:00

        Background

        The Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) Event Review Committee (ERC) Alternate Representative is responsible for serving as the AFA representative on the ASAP ERC.  As the alternate representative, this position participates in ERC meetings in the absence of the ASAP ERC Primary Representative.

        Qualifications

        • Robust working knowledge of the Flight Attendant Manual, applicable Flight Attendant CFRs, and ASAP letters of agreement (LOAs) and memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
        • Ability to attend ERC meetings in Seattle as necessary.
        • Strong computer skills. Working knowledge of Google email and Microsoft Office preferred.
        • Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to write communications, respond professionally to internal and external e-mail, track issues, and prepare reports.
        • Ability to meet deadlines and follow up on assigned tasks.
        • Previous Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) experience strongly preferred.

        Duties

        • Serve as the AFA representative on the ASAP ERC in the absence of the ASAP ERC Primary Representative. 
        • Attend ERC meetings as scheduled.  Perform pre-meeting work in ETQ/Report It!.   Review events and add comments/suggestions to be discussed at ERC meeting.  
        • Assist Flight Attendants as needed with questions related to ASAP procedures, reporting requirements, and other program information. 
        • Make recommendations for safety improvements to the ASHSC. 
        • Assist the MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Aviation Safety Action Program to develop, maintain, and update membership education materials about ASAP. 
        • Regularly communicate with and receive briefings from the designated AFA ERC Primary Representative on the activities of the ERC. 
        • Regularly communicate with and provide updates to the MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Aviation Safety Action Program on all activities, meetings, and work being performed. 
        • Attend ASAP and other ASHSC-related meetings and training, as requested. 
        • Assist the MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—Aviation Safety Action Program as needed.

        Time Commitment and Flight Pay Loss Reimbursement

        • This position will receive company business (CB) Flight Pay Loss (FPL) for meetings attended per section 27.P of the Flight Attendant collective bargaining agreement. This includes “A” pay, 5% override, and travel pay to/from domicile to meeting location.  
        • Time commitment is variable as this position will only be active when the ASAP ERC Primary Representative is not available.
        • The ASAP ERC Alternate Representative will have pre-arranged, pre-planned absences (at 6.0 TFP credit per day) loaded into her/his schedule as needed to attend scheduled meetings.

        Working Relationships

        With The Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

        Frequent interaction with the MEC ASHSC Chairperson and Local ASHSC Chairpersons. Occasional interaction with Local ASHSC Members.

        With The Master Executive Council

        This position reports to the Master Executive Council through the MEC ASHSC Chairperson. The MEC executive sponsor for the committee is the MEC Vice President.

        With Alaska Airlines Management

        Constant interaction with management, particularly the Manager of Inflight Safety Reporting & Records (Claudia Modl), ASAP Manager (Chris Benson), and ASAP Specialist (Brandon Rudolph). Occasional interaction with the Director of Inflight Safety & Compliance (Anne Shaw) and Manager of Inflight Safety & Compliance (Monica Grant).

        With Government Agencies

        Constant interaction with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representatives in conjunction with ERC meetings.

        Expressing Interest and Interview Scheduling

        • Submit a declaration of interest and resume to MEC Secretary-Treasurer Linda Christou at linda.christou@afaalaska.org no later than 5 PM Pacific Time on Friday, March 29, 2019. 
        • Linda will contact qualified candidates to schedule an interview and provide additional information regarding transportation and booking of flights if necessary.
        • In-person interviews will take place at the AFA Office in Seattle on Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

        Questions?

        Please direct any questions about the position to MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—ASAP Brad Young at bradley.young@afaalaska.org.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple and MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson—ASAP Brad Young

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Latest News Tagged With: ASAP, safety

        Air Quality Information & Update

        November 9, 2018 12:00

        Due to the recent spike in cabin air fume events, your AFA Air Safety, Health, and Security Committee (ASHSC) has been working diligently to assist with all fume events by continuing with our normal procedure of contacting the affected crews, offering support, educating, and providing tools and resources for responding to these events.

        Resources Available

        With regard to education, the Committee is currently working with the Air Safety, Health, and Security (ASHS) department at AFA International to create additional online training and educational materials related to fume events.  Some of the resources available are listed below.

        Air Quality Fume Event FAQs

        The Committee has compiled a comprehensive question and answer document to help provide information about many of the questions and concerns that have been received about cabin air fume events.

        You can access the Q&A document by clicking here.

        Air Quality Exposure Quick Reference Card

        The Air Quality Exposure Quick Reference Card is a wallet sized card that explains what to do in a contaminated cabin air exposure event.  The card can be kept in a badge holder behind your company ID or in your wallet.

        The card was recently updated by the Committee and now includes information about the Airbus fleet.  If you currently have an older version of the card, please destroy your old card and replace it with a newly updated one.  The updated cards are currently being distributed to each domicile.

        Look for more information from your Local Council about where to pick one up at your base.  You can access and print the card on the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

        AFA Alaska Website

        Additional air quality information, including a flow chart that describes what to do in a cabin air fume event, can be found at afaalaska.org under Committees > Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC) > Air Quality.

        Questions?

        If you have additional questions about cabin air quality or the AFA resources available, please email airquality@afaalaska.org or contact a member of your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC).  You can find contact information on the ASHSC page of the AFA Alaska website.

        Filed Under: Air Quality, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Latest News Tagged With: 2018, air quality, ASHSC, safety

        What To Do In The Event of Contaminated Cabin Air

        July 25, 2018 05:00

        The AFA Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) has long had a critical role in assisting Flight Attendants who find themselves in a situation where they may have been exposed to contaminated cabin air.  This article is designed to provide some important information and resources to help you should you ever find yourself in a situation where you believe you might have experienced an exposure event.  We’d also like to provide some background on how AFA provides assistance and support in suspected air quality exposure incidents.

        What Do I Do?

        If you believe you might have been exposed to contaminated air aboard the aircraft, follow these steps:

        1. Identify The Situation

        If you encounter unusual fumes, odors, smoke, or haze:

        • Quickly rule out non-ventilation sources (i.e. ovens, coffee makers, garbage)
        • If the source is the air from the vents in the cabin, there is possibly oil/hydraulic fluid contamination.
        • Report the situation to the pilots immediately.
        • If no passengers are on board, step off the aircraft, especially if maintenance boards to test systems
        • Avoid breathing fumes coming from vents, if possible

        2. Get Help If Sick

        • If in the air, notify the pilots to call Medlink
        • If still at the gate, ask the CSA to call paramedics.  Deplane if possible.
        • Seek medical attention as soon as possible.  Some tests must be performed as soon as possible to detect exposure.  Your symptoms can persist, worsen, or return after another incident.
        • Call AFA for help (call 206-457-2010, extension 1101 or email airquality@afaalaska.org)
        • Print and begin completing the AFA exposure checklist
        • Review the AFA International Air Quality website

        3. Report & Document

        • File an employee injury report with the company
        • File an irregularity report with the company
        • File an ASAP report with the company
        • Keep printed copies of each report
        • Send a copy of the completed employee injury report to the ASHSC Vice Chairperson.
        • Ask a supervisor to complete their Alaska Airlines air quality checklist with you
        • If sick, file a worker’s compensation claim and see a doctor as quickly as possible.  Claims do not start until you see a doctor.
        • Keep a symptom diary and document everything with a doctor

        What Resources Are Available?

        AFA Alaska Website

        Information on what to do in the event of exposure to contaminated cabin air is available on the AFA Alaska website.  You can find the complete checklist at http://afaalaska.org/ashsc/airquality/checklist.  On your IMD or other mobile device, you can easily access this information by opening the AFA Alaska app or visiting afaalaska.org and clicking the “air quality exposure info” link from the home page.

        Air Quality Exposure Quick Reference Card

        Wallet size cards explaining what to do in a contaminated cabin air exposure event have just been updated to include Airbus fleet information and will soon be available in each base.  These cards can be kept in a badge holder behind your crew ID or in your purse or wallet for when you need to access them quickly.  You can also print your own card from the AFA Alaska website by clicking here.

        Local Air Safety, Health, & Security (ASHSC) Committee

        The members of your Local Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee are available as a resource to assist you.  You can find contact information for your Local ASHSC on the ASHSC page of afaalaska.org.

        What Happens Behind the Scenes?

        Once management notifies AFA that a situation involving potential exposure to contaminated cabin air has occurred, a coordinated response process begins behind the scenes. MEC Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Vice Chairperson Yvette Satterlee activates AFA’s response procedures and makes contact with the crew. Yvette ensures that the Flight Attendants have information about what to do if they’re feeling sick and what reports to file with the company.  The AFA Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Committee also contacts the Flight Attendants to offer their support.  The LEC Officers from the Local Council of the affected Flight Attendants are also notified of the situation and are available to provide assistance if needed.

        After the incident, ASHSC, EAP, and the LEC Officers continue to assist the Flight Attendants. This ongoing support takes the form of providing information about oil and hydraulic fumes for the medical providers of the affected crew members, coordinating operational debriefs with management, requesting aircraft maintenance records, and additional activities to help affected Flight Attendants through the treatment and recovery process.

        Questions?

        Please contact your Local ASHSC if you have any questions about contaminated cabin air.  You can find contact information for your Local ASHSC on the ASHSC page of afaalaska.org.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee; MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple and MEC ASHSC Vice Chairperson Yvette Satterlee

        Filed Under: Air Quality, Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Latest News Tagged With: 2018, air quality, ASHSC, contaminated air

        Harvard Publication Regarding Past Uniform Reactions at Alaska

        January 18, 2018 12:00

        The following article was recently published by AFA International regarding a Harvard School of Public Health study pertaining to uniform reactions among Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants from 2011 through 2014.  The full text of the article is contained below or can be viewed on the AFA website by clicking here.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green, Brice McGee, MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Bob Moore and MEC ASHSC Chairperson Seth Heiple

         


         Harvard publishes study about uniform reactions at Alaska 2011-14

        AFA continues to fight for safe uniforms at PSA, Envoy, and Piedmont

        Published on Jan. 3, 2018, a study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health documents “a relationship between health complaints and the introduction of new uniforms” among Flight Attendants at Alaska Airlines from 2011-14. The Harvard study is published and you can download a free copy here.

        AFA professional staff, in collaboration with the Alaska MEC, took a thorough and structured approach to define the chemicals in the new uniforms and the reactions reported by our members. Our systematic collection of the science and the reports from Flight Attendants gained the interest of Harvard scientists and researchers to conduct an independent review, which was significant. This study provides a credible, scientific voice that illustrates the urgent need for airlines and uniform vendors to address this issue in a meaningful way. AFA will also continue to seek relief for Flight Attendants, as well as work with airlines to put procedures in place that will allow for safe delivery of new uniforms.

        While AFA’s work paved the way for this study, Harvard worked independently to systematically assess Flight Attendant symptom reports before and after the uniform rollout at Alaska Airlines. Specifically, they collected and compared responses to the same set of standardized questions before, during, and after wearing and working around the TwinHill uniforms. These peer-reviewed findings validate the reports that so many Alaska Flight Attendants documented during that uniform rollout. During that time, 753 of approximately 2900 (26%) of Alaska Flight Attendants reported uniform reactions – dominated by irritant and allergic-type symptoms – to AFA.

        Harvard’s research found that the prevalence of the following symptoms increased after the introduction of new uniforms: itchy/irritated skin (25 vs 13), rash/hives (23 vs 13), itchy eyes (24 vs 14), blurred vision (14 vs 6), sinus congestion (28 vs 24), , sore throat (9 vs 5), cough (17 vs 7), hoarseness/loss of voice (12 vs 3), shortness of breath (8 vs 3), and multiple chemical sensitivity (10 vs 5). During that uniform rollout, AFA also received a large number of reports of hair loss (117), unusual fatigue (83), and other non-irritant symptoms. However, because Harvard had not included questions about those symptoms in its “pre-rollout” survey, it was not possible to compare the prevalence of those symptoms over time.

        Now history seems to be repeating itself. Since their uniform rollout at PSA, Envoy, and Piedmont in September 2016, more than 500 of our members, together with thousands of our sisters and brothers at American, have documented similar reactions to their TwinHill garments. The Harvard authors acknowledge the similarities between these outbreaks and note that, together, they “warrant further investigation of the specific chemical toxicants, clothing concentrations, body burdens and health effects.”

        Additionally, on Jan 11, 2018, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (“NIOSH”) released a Health Hazard Evaluation of Flight Attendants’ symptoms during/after wearing the TwinHill uniforms at American, which are the same uniforms being worn by AFA members at PSA, Envoy, and Piedmont. AFA provided information to NIOSH on the reported symptoms, chemical testing, and other data to ensure that our members’ voices were heard. The bottom line is that NIOSH recognized that “”irritant and allergenic compounds were identified in some uniform garments, which could cause [reported] skin symptoms.” NIOSH also cited evidence that exposure to low levels of chemicals and chemical mixtures in textiles can cause symptoms. Finally, NIOSH recommended that AA “remove employees with physician-diagnosed health problems related to the uniform from exposure, and retain pay and benefits for these employees,” including potential “reassign[ment] (with retention of pay and employment status) with work conditions in which exposure is minimal or nonexistent.”

        AFA encourages our membership to read the Harvard study. It should especially be:

        • In the hands of every Flight Attendant who seeks medical attention for a uniform reaction.
        • In the hands of every airline official who is responsible for procuring new uniforms, in order to prevent history from repeating itself.

        We are still fighting for the right to safe clothes that don’t cause illness for the Flight Attendants at PSA, Piedmont, Envoy, and our sisters and brothers at American. We will continue to push for the type of positive and conscientious change that we see at some airlines like Alaska and United who have committed to strong uniform programs – and are working with AFA as an important part of that commitment.

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), Latest News, Uniform Committee Tagged With: 2018, uniform, uniform reactions

        [URGENT] ***False Alarm*** re: Ballistic Missile Threat to Hawaiian Islands

        January 13, 2018 10:38

        The Master Executive Council understands that the entire Hawaiian Island chain was issued a false emergency alert (pushed to all mobile phones) that there was a ballistic missile threat inbound to Hawaii and to seek immediate shelter. The alert falsely indicated that the message was not a drill. However, Alaska Airlines management confirmed that the domestic events network in Hawaii pushed a message that was supposed to go out as a practice drill but was incorrectly send out as a live issue. To the best of AFA’s knowledge, there is no ballistic missile threat to Hawaii at this time.

        Please reach out to your AFA resources such as EAP if you need any additional support.

        In Solidarity,

        Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Terry Taylor, Mario de’Medici, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee

        Filed Under: Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC), EAP/Professional Standards Committee, Latest News

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