TWU Applauds FAA Issuance of Safety Alert on Cabin Fume Events

The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) directing airlines review and enhance operational procedures in order to mitigate effects of onboard smoke and fumes.  This FAA guidance states carriers should take action to: “review their company’s odor, smoke and/or fumes procedures to ensure they address benign odor events as well as toxic odor, smoke and/or fumes, in an expeditious manner to limit exposure of passengers and crew.”

Our Members (as well as Flight Attendants throughout the industry) have reported serious health effects after being exposed to contaminants during engine bleed air events.  It is our hope that this FAA guidance is the first step in regulators, aircraft manufacturers and the airline industry as a whole, addressing this very serious safety of flight and occupational health hazard.

TWU along with other Labor Unions and Associations have aggressively vocalized the seriousness of bleed air events to airlines, aircraft manufacturers and regulators for decades.  This effort has included education efforts on recognition and response to onboard fumes including but not limited to, getting the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) support in the form of its 2015 advisory that is the basis for the current FAA SAFO.

Local 556 Safety would like to thank TWU International who has made cabin fume event research and advocacy for effected Crew Members a priority in both time and organizational resources.  With the help of our International Union, strong advocacy by our Local’s Safety Team and collaboration with our Sister’s and Brother’s at other Unions and Associations, we will ultimately secure the change necessary to vanquish this serious work environment safety concern. View FAA Safety Alert (SAFO 18003) >

Michael Massoni | TWU Local 556 1st Vice President & Operational Safety Chair | TWU International Safety Rep