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CWA Awarded OSHA Grant For Airline Ergonomics
A one-year grant from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration will allow CWA to launch a “train the trainer” program to improve ergonomics for airline industry employees.
With the $206,000 grant, effective Oct. 1, CWA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department will develop a training course and educational activities for workers in reservation centers and passenger service.
“Many thousands of these workers within the airlines industry are exposed to poorly designed and hazardous work environments that lead to the development of a variety of health symptoms, illnesses, and injuries,” said Dave LeGrande, CWA’s safety and health director.
The severity of the problem was highlighted by a recent CWA survey of airline workers across the country. More than 2,500 employees responded, describing a high rate of health issues related to ergonomics, poor indoor air quality, excessive noise and other risks.
LeGrande said the grant-funded project will focus primarily on exposure to inadequate workplace ergonomics, including poorly designed work tools and equipment. It will also look at air quality, noise, heat, humidity and other aspects of the work environment. The organization of work — such things as adequate rest periods or work rotation to prevent ergonomic injuries — is another focus.
Trainers will learn about many related issues, including the risks of frequent lifting, bending, twisting, and reaching for heavy and awkward baggage, lifting and transporting passengers, exposure to blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases, inadequate packaging of hazardous substances and infectious disease agents, and the design of air circulation systems.
With the $206,000 grant, effective Oct. 1, CWA’s Occupational Safety and Health Department will develop a training course and educational activities for workers in reservation centers and passenger service.
“Many thousands of these workers within the airlines industry are exposed to poorly designed and hazardous work environments that lead to the development of a variety of health symptoms, illnesses, and injuries,” said Dave LeGrande, CWA’s safety and health director.
The severity of the problem was highlighted by a recent CWA survey of airline workers across the country. More than 2,500 employees responded, describing a high rate of health issues related to ergonomics, poor indoor air quality, excessive noise and other risks.
LeGrande said the grant-funded project will focus primarily on exposure to inadequate workplace ergonomics, including poorly designed work tools and equipment. It will also look at air quality, noise, heat, humidity and other aspects of the work environment. The organization of work — such things as adequate rest periods or work rotation to prevent ergonomic injuries — is another focus.
Trainers will learn about many related issues, including the risks of frequent lifting, bending, twisting, and reaching for heavy and awkward baggage, lifting and transporting passengers, exposure to blood-borne pathogens and infectious diseases, inadequate packaging of hazardous substances and infectious disease agents, and the design of air circulation systems.