Please be advised that Air Canada has made the decision to no longer provide copies of ANY reports to your CUPE Health & Safety reps.  The exception to this is injury reports only IF lost days from work have been associated with that injury.  We encourage you to keep copies of all your reports for yourself and also submit a copy to the CUPE office.”

Health & Safety Report - December 2011

Membership Meeting –  December 5th, 2011

Health & Safety Report

AIR QUALITY AND FUME EVENTS

Recently, there has been a lot of talk and concerns voiced about cabin air quality and the effects on flight attendants, with members specifically requesting information from the union.   We thought that it would be worthwhile to dedicate this local report and time at this local meeting to this complex, evolving issue.  

If you require any additional information or have specific questions or concerns about onboard Air Quality issues, we strongly encourage you to call or visit us so that we can properly direct you to where to find the most up to date and accurate information.

Air Quality in the News…

In June of this year, a former American Airlines flight attendant named Terry Williams reached an out-of-court settlement with Boeing Co. over allegations she suffered irreparable injuries due to contaminated cabin air.  This settlement comes on the heels of last year’s landmark decision which was handed down by the High Court of Australia in which damages were awarded to Joanne Turner, a former Ansett Australia flight attendant.  She had been exposed to oil fumes stemming from a faulty seal in the APU of the BAE-146 aircraft operating between Sydney and Brisbane.

To read more about these stories, as well as other Air Quality news, following this link:

http://www.aerotoxic.org/news-and-articles/latestnews

What is being done about contaminated air/air quality issues?

Your union has an air quality specialist who liaises with other airline labour organizations and brings updates to members on a regular basis through Air Quality bulletins.  This is important since, like most other health and safety issues, the first step is knowing the facts so that it can be properly reported and addressed.

While the global fight against toxic air is picking up speed, the signs of oil and hydraulic fluid contaminating the cabin air have not changed, nor have the steps the union recommends you undertake to ensure your own safety.  We encourage you to review the following information which was previously issued by the Component.

Your workplace, Your air, Your health:

1.            If oil fumes contaminate the cabin air supply, you may smell and see fumes, or you may not see or smell anything.

2.            If you do smell fumes, they won't necessarily smell like oil. Many people think that they smell like dirty socks. Others say "chemicals", "old cheese", "wet dog", "heated garbage”, and so on.  Boeing has reported that BP2197 engine oil fumes have a characteristic “electrical smell”, which is often mistaken for electrical faults.

3.            If you smell what could be oil fumes, and are already onboard, quickly verify that nobody is cooking anything, that the coffee pots are not burning, that the cabin lights are working and are not burned out, and that the galley chiller lights are not indicating malfunction (red).

4.            Tell the flight deck that you have concerns that there is potential that engine oil has contaminated the supply air. Describe anything that you see / smell, plus any symptoms, and report that you have ruled out other sources in the cabin (if applicable).

5.            If fumes are present prior to pushback, ask the flight deck to have maintenance check the aircraft prior to dispatch. If fumes are present during taxi, make sure that the flight deck knows. If fumes are present in-flight, ask the flight deck to ensure that maintenance checks the aircraft immediately upon landing. (The pilots may initiate a diversion, or return to base.) 

While repeated low level exposures and major “fume events” (when oil mixes with the very hot compressed air, resulting in fumes or smoke entering the cabin) have been linked to increased environmental sensitivity, and are believed to cause the onset of serious health problems, it is the combination of multiple exposures and the interaction of the multiple chemicals which have contributed to the new condition known as “Aerotoxic Syndrome.”  This is often misdiagnosed because short and long term symptoms for multiple body parts are treated in isolation, instead of as a whole. Symptoms may include:

·         Fatigue - feeling exhausted, even after sufficient sleep

·         Blurred or tunnel vision

·         Shaking and tremors

·         Loss of balance and vertigo

·         Seizures

·         Light-headedness, dizziness or loss of consciousness

·         Memory impairment, confusion and other cognitive problems

·         Headache

·         Tinnitus

·         Feelings of intoxication

·         Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting

·         Breathing difficulties or respiratory failure requiring oxygen

·         Tightness in chest, including increased heart rate and palpitations

·         Irritation of eyes, nose and upper airways, or coughs

6.            If you suffer from any of the above listed symptoms after a “fume event”, you should report it immediately to a medical doctor. Symptoms may be short lived or long term. These are not concerns, they are injuries. 

7.            Fill out an ACF34C to report the incident, and an ACF32-8 to report any medical symptoms or injuries. Remember to send a copy of these forms to your Local CUPE Health and Safety representative and keep a copy for yourself.

8.            In addition, if you have experienced any unexplained symptoms (as indicated above) and are concerned that you have been exposed, contact your local management (preferably in writing) to have it looked at to confirm if an exposure actually occurred and it has been officially documented as such.  If there was in fact a confirmed exposure, you can then forward this information to your doctor to remain on your file in case of multiple exposures and more serious health implications. 

Keep in mind that these Fume Events are likely quite rare and that a smell on it’s own does not necessarily mean you are exposed.  This is why confirmation from the company of the exposure to a hazardous substance is important.  If you have been exposed to a hazardous substance, the company should be providing you with the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Web Links for Contaminated Cabin Air Information

As published in the Component Health & Safety In-Touch bulletin, please find below a list of useful and informative links complied by the Aerotoxic Association.

Exposure to Bleed Air Contaminants Among Airline Workers - A Guide for Health Care Providers – Funded by the FAA Office of Aviation Medicine.  April 2009 Version.

http://www.aerotoxic.org/download/docs/medical_help/Medicalprotocol031909.pdf

Health Impact of exposure to contaminated air supply on commercial aircraft – Quick reference guide for health care providers.  From the Occupational Health Research Consortium in Aviation

http://www.ohrca.org/pdf/quickreference.pdf

• Aerotoxic Association

http://www.aerotoxic.org

• Occupational Health Research Consortium in Aviation

http://www.ohrca.org

CONTINUOUS DUTY DAY/FATIGUE COMPLAINT TO TRANSPORT CANADA - UPDATE

The complaint that we filed with Transport Canada in August of 2010 was finally investigated.  Transport Canada returned the complaint to us on October 17^th, 2011 indicating that “the impact that fatigue may have on an activity performed by the flight attendant could be considered a safety issue given the right conditions.  However, a “danger” as envisaged by the Code, only exists when the hazard or condition is likely to cause an injury, immediately, not when the hazard or condition could cause an injury in the distant future.” 

Transport Canada has made the decision to return the complaint to indicating that “it is my recommendation that you and your employer resolve this matter between yourselves.”

We have requested that the employer meet with us to consider various solutions, however, the company has advised that they have no interest in meeting to discuss this further.   Unfortunately the company continues to insist that continuous duty days are a contractual issue, not health and safety, and that crew should book off if they do not feel fit to fly as per pub. 356.  You union disagrees and is currently evaluating how best to proceed.  If you share this view and this issue affects you directly, please feel free to contact us for updates and options about how you can proceed with this health & safety concern.

In the meantime, we ask that you continue reporting your concerns to management and copy your Health & Safety reps.   

EMBRAER ARMING/DISARMING INJURIES  

Your CUPE Health & Safety reps were recently advised that the Air Canada ergonomist that was selected by Air Canada to ergonomically assess the “hook” type tool we would like to recommended as an interim measure to avoid injuries while arming/disarming the embraer has recently left Air Canada.  All of the information was provided to her in May of 2011 and it appears there are no updates to be had.  At this point, management has agreed to draft an official recommendation with us about the use of a tool for arming and disarming in order to mitigate future injuries.  

This is proving to be a lengthy, frustrating process as injuries continue to occur each month.  We hope to have further updates for you at the next local meeting.  As always, please continue to report injuries and concerns to management and copy Health and Safety.

Floor Trim Between Galley and Cabin on Embraer

We have had two recent lost time injuries on fin 316 stemming from manoeuvring the bar trolleys over the “bump”/galley trim on the floor between the cabin and galley.  While following up on these injuries, it has come to our attention that appears to be a commonly known problem while working on the embraer fleet.  If you are working on a fin with a more pronounced trim and/or you have concerns for injury, please log it in the cabin defect logbook and forward your Health & Safety representatives the log number for follow up.  If you are injured manoeuvring a trolley over this trim, please be sure to fill out an injury report as well and record the cabin log number on your injury report.

Recent Trends

Turbulence – We have seen an increase in turbulence related injuries this quarter, specifically when turbulence starts as “light” and then turns to “moderate”.  We urge you to follow your S.E.P. guidelines when it comes to turbulence, and, if at anytime you feel that your safety is at risk, be sure to be seated immediately until such time as it is safe to resume.

Defective Equipment –  Defective equipment continues to be one of our main sources of injury.  If in doubt, tag it!  If it is tagged with a US seal then airbase has the opportunity to isolate and fix the item in question.  Without tagging it, this equipment inevitably re-enters the system and could potential hurt another colleague.  Air Canada management support the initiative of tagging any questionable US equipment.

Recap of 2011 CUPE Health & Safety Reports

All quarterly Local 4092 Health and Safety meeting reports can be found on the local website at www.local4092.ca

In addition, your component and Local Health & Safety committees have published several informative bulletins during 2011.   

Please find below a list of the 2011 Health & Safety bulletins (and topics covered) for your referral and reference, which call all be accessed by logging into the component website at www.accomponent.ca and going following the link:

COMMITTEES  →  HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE  →  HEALTH AND SAFETY BULLETINS

Health & Safety – In Touch – Volume 1, Issue 6, November 30^th 2011

·         Air Quality – A re-cap.

Cabin Air Quality Matters - Issue 1, September 30^TH  2011

·         Update from CUPE’s Air Quality Specialist.

Health & Safety - In Touch - Volume 1, Issue 5, September 1^st 2011

·         Fuelling while boarding or with passengers onboard.

·         Studies on cabin air quality.

·         Crew Complement.

·         The recent EMJ L2 jumpseat decision and AC insert.

·         Recent changes to the Aviation Occupational Safety and Health (AOSH) Regulations.

·         Regulator references in publication 356.

·         Continuous Duty Day/Fatigue – Complaint to Transport Canada.

·         Electronic devices in the cabin.

Radiation Report, August 15^TH  2011

·         CUPE Releases the PCAire Cosmic Radiation Pilots Study.

Health & Safety - In Touch - Volume 1, Issue 4, July 7^th 2011

·         Embraer L2 Jumpseat Right-to=Refuse Appeal Decision.

Health & Safety - In Touch - Volume 1, Issue 3, March 31^ST  2011

·         Deactivation of O2 in the lavs

·         Continuous Duty Days

·         Air Quality Onboard

·         Wires on Toilet shrouds  

·         Health & Safety Issues at Hotels

Health & Safety - In Touch - Volume 1, Issue 2, February 24^TH  2011

·         Filing a Health and Safety Concern – The Process Explained.

Health & Safety - In Touch - Volume 1, Issue 1, January 10^TH  2011

·         Your Individual Right to Refuse Dangerous Work – The Process Explained.

DID YOU KNOW…..?

That your health and safety committee are forwarded copies of all injury reports submitted to the company?  Each one is reviewed jointly with management and an action or “trending” item is assigned to each injury report.  While we are unable to call and follow up on each individual injury, if you are interested in follow up regarding your specific injury, please feel free to contact us for updates. 

Thank you for taking the time to attend the CUPE Local 4092 Meeting.  Please feel free to contact us should have any health and safety questions or concerns.

Your CUPE Local 4092 Health & Safety 

Sally Fouineteau sally@local4092.ca

Karen Galanyk karen@local4092.ca

Angela Scott angela@local4092.ca

osh@local4092.ca      Ph (905) 676 4352         Fax (905) 676 4763         

Regards,

Karen  Galanik

Health & Safety Committee Chairperson

             

Health & Safety Report: September 2011

 

CUPE LOCAL 4092

Membership Meeting –  September 26^th, 2011

Health & Safety Report

L2 Jumpseat on the EMB - recent Decision and Company Transmittal

The Company recently distributed a transmittal in response to the Direction that was issued on June 30^th establishing that a danger exists for the flight attendant seated at the L2 position on the Embraer aircraft under certain conditions. The Union has clearly expressed to Transport Canada that in its view, the padding installed on the L2 door is insufficient to remove the danger of injuries and that without addressing the jumpseat seatbelt harness, the danger still exists.   This issue continues to evolve and we will keep you updated on any new developments.  

In the interim, please remember that, as per the Canada Labour Code, you can still file a health and safety concern (ACF32) on this issue if you feel that your health and safety could be compromised, or you may personally choose to exercise your right to refuse dangerous work if you believe there is a danger while at work. Transport Canada has informed Air Canada that the current fix does not prevent employees from submitting complaints or exercising their right to refuse on this issue.

You will find information about how to file a health and safety concern on the Air Canada Component website:

Committees > Health and Safety > Health and Safety Forms > Health & Safety-In Touch Volume 1, issue 2

You will find information about your right to refuse dangerous work on the Air Canada Component website:

Committees > Health and Safety > Health and Safety Forms > Health & Safety-In Touch Volume 1, issue 1

Embraer Arming/Disarming Injuries

At the last Local meeting, we reported that we had recently met with the Air Canada ergonomist to have her assess a hook-type tool that we would like to propose as a means of injury prevention until such time as Air Canada and Embraer find a way to fix the arming/disarming levers and stop the ongoing injuries.  Unfortunately, we have had an additional 10 injuries since we met with the ergonomist on May 26^th, 2011.  We have received no updates from Air Canada and no target date as to when the ergonomist will complete her assessment of the “tool”.  

We have had ongoing injuries from this door since the aircraft arrived in 2005.  If you feel that you are likely to get injured, please do NOT use the door and advise the flight deck of the situation.  There are procedures in place for them to follow which will ensure that we are not injured.  Please let us know if you encounter any problems with pilot’s not being aware of the procedure to follow if you fear injury and are not able to arm or disarm your door.

Join the campaign!  If you are concerned about this issue, please follow the steps above and fill out a health & safety concern and let the company know that a solution must be found.  Keep in mind that should you be put in a position where you feel you are being put at risk of injury, you also always have the right to refuse unsafe work (details referenced above.)

Lost Time Injuries – Air Canada Investigations

If you are off work due to an injury that occurs at work, it is a legal requirement for Air Canada do an “investigation” to determine the root cause of the injury and to try to put corrective measures in place to avoid a reoccurrence.  An investigation  report must then be drawn up and submitted to Transport Canada for all lost time work injuries.

If you are booked off due to an injury at work, you will get a call at home from a manager to investigate your  injury.  (NOTE this is different than the call you get from a supervisor or AC claims department).  CUPE Health & Safety (or “employee reps” as we are also referred to) are supposed to be conferenced on this call as well.   If we are not present, please ask if the purpose of the call is to “investigate” your injury.  If it is, ask to have us conferenced in for the investigation.

Be sure to let the manager know the root cause of your injury and anything that you think could be done to prevent future injuries. 

YYZ Ice – Solid blocks of Ice

The issue with the ice out of YYZ being boarded as one huge, block of ice has been a longstanding issue.  Unfortunately, it took a broken finger injury to resolve it, even though there were previous injuries and the concern had been  proactively reported to the company on many occasions prior to the broken finger.

We have been advised that a solution has been found at Gate Gourmet in YYZ.    We have inspected many flights and found that the ice now appears to be acceptable – it is breaking easily into ice cubes and is no longer one, solid piece of ice.

Please let us know if you are having any new problems onboard with ice that is catered out of YYZ.

Continuous Duty Day/Fatigue - Update

The complaint that we filed with Transport Canada in August of 2010 is finally being investigated.  Transport Canada has been in touch for various documents – pairings, schedules, etc. – for their investigation.  We have no further updates at this time but will let you know the outcome as soon as it is available.

In the meantime, please keep reporting your concerns to management and copy your CUPE Health & Safety reps.  In addition, if you have had any specific concerns or problems with the “rest” areas provided in airports with layovers of less than 5 hours, it is important for us to know about this. 

AC’s Position on Fatigue

Did you know…..?

Air Canada’s position when it comes to fatigue is that if you are too fatigued to work (for example, due to several continuous night time duty days in a row or noisy construction at a hotel preventing you from getting adequate rest), you should be booking off.  This includes mid-cycle book offs once you notice that you are at a point where you are too fatigued to continue your day.  If you find yourself in this situation,  please ensure, for your own protection and the protection of passengers and your fellow crew, that you do book off and get the rest you need to be able to perform your duties in the event of an onboard emergency.  In the event that you do not book off and something were to happen due to lack of attention/impairment by fatigue, (e.g. blown slide) you would be accountable for not having booked off when you are too fatigued to operate at 100%.

Studies on Cabin Air Quality

While the company is publicizing a UK study on Air Quality (via Globe and posted in Communication Centers), the Union would like to remind you that a number of legitimate studies are currently being conducted on this issue, as well as the existence of numerous other reports.  In order to get a broader picture of the Air Quality and contaminated air issue you may wish to consult the following links: www.ohrca.org  or visit the Health & Safety page and click on Oil Fumes on Board.

Security “Tape” on Duty Free Units

We had received some injury reports from the security “tape” that is wrapped around the Duty Free trolleys and carriers.  We had forwarded a recommendation to have this tape removed and have recently been advised that this tape will no longer be used.  We have done some spot checks and have not found any security tape still being used.  Please let us know (with flight, fin and date details) if you find that the security tape is still being used on the duty free units on your flights.

Tagging Small Service Equipment as U/S

Did you know……?

That it is a requirement to tag all small U/S service equipment – such as ice scoops, bread baskets, water jugs, oven mitts, corkscrews, etc. -  with as red US tag?  If you cannot affix the seal to the item, you are supposed to use a piece of tape and attach the red US seal to the equipment with tape.

We have asked Air Canada to clarify this procedure for us in writing as we feel that it is currently not clear.  Even managers themselves have been advising us to simply “throw out” these small US items in the past…

Moving forwards, please be sure to tag ALL US equipment with a US seal and forward us the seal number to us for tracking.  Broken equipment must be fixed or removed from service to prevent injuries to fellow crew members.

Exercising your Right to Refuse Unsafe Work – Crew Scheduling

We have been advised of several recent cases where flight attendants have tried to exercise their right to refuse (RTR) unsafe work with crew scheduling and the process has not been followed by crew scheduling.  If you are reporting the RTR to crew scheduling, please make it very clear that you are refusing unsafe work and that you need to speak with a manager.  The process is that the crew scheduler must then contact an in-flight manager.   You should not continue on an RTR process with crew scheduling – it must be reported to an in-flight manager (or captain if “in operation”). 

The cases that have been reported to us have been cases where crew members advised us that crew scheduling threatened them with discipline/unavailable for duty and intimidated the FA’s into working when they felt unsafe.  This is not acceptable.  If you feel your health or safety is at risk and crew scheduling is not being supportive please;

1.       Take notes with names, times and conversation that occurred.

2.       Remain courteous with crew scheduling and ensure that they are clear that this is a refusal for unsafe work.

3.       Do not discuss the issue further with crew scheduling.

4.       Ask to be put in contact with a manager (crew scheduling has access to a manager 24/7)

5.       Deal only with the manager(or captain if “in operation”) in RTR situations.  Crew Scheduling should not be investigating RTR situations or threatening discipline for RTR’s.

 Please refer to your RTR charts at the back of SEP chapter 2 for flowcharts and additional information.  Remember that it is against the law to discipline an employee for initiating an RTR.

Copies of your Injury Reports & Lost Reports

It has been reported to us recently on several occasions that management is giving you a hard time when you request a copy of your reports.  If you would like a copy, please insist on a taking a copy for your records.  Air Canada has confirmed to us that you are permitted to take copies of your own reports and we would encourage you to do so.

It has also been brought to our attention that there have been several “lost” injury reports of late – injury reports submitted to the company that are then misplaced.  This is creating complications for crew members who in turn lost time from work due to the injury and file for a WSIB claim.  Again, for your protection, please be sure to keep a copy of your report before you submit it.

Bridge Phones not working - YYZ

In case of emergency situations please note that the bridge phones at gates 120, 122, 139, 179 & 181 (YYZ) are currently not working.  We have brought this to the attention of the GTAA and they are working on a fix, however, they have advised that it may take a while to resolve the problem.  We have asked Air Canada for an S.O.P. during the interim in case of an emergency situation but have been advised that there are none in place.  Please let us know if you encounter phones at other bridges in YYZ that are not working so that we can follow up.

Rumours – Injury Reports

We are addressing the rumour that if you fill out an injury report you MUST see a doctor.  This is not the case.  While you will get a call from management to review your report (if you did not already do so at the time of submission), you are not required to see a doctor because you filled out an injury report.

The requirement to see a doctor only applies of you are booked off due to the injury and are seeking WSIB coverage.

Recent 

Suitcases – As we are approaching the 5 year mark for our suitcases, we have had many crew members reporting that their suitcases are breaking.  In many cases there is no replacement available and crew members are purchasing their own suitcases.   In our minds this is not acceptable.  Please let us know if you encounter this issue.  You should not be departing on a pairing with a broken suitcase as there is potential for injury.

A reminder that the suitcases are still under warranty and attempts should be made to have your suitcase fixed whenever possible.

If you arrive at the airport and notice at that time your suitcase is broken, please go to the communication centre to see if they have a replacement for you.  Be sure to advise them that you are concerned about injury and, if they do not have a replacement suitcase, ask what they recommend that you do to avoid injury.

Please report back to us.  If you are injured, be sure to fill out an injury report.

Tongs/Ice Scoops - There have been several recent injuries due to both sharp tongs and sharp ice scoops.  Please be sure to tag sharp items with a US seal to have them checked out.  We will be reviewing different models of tongs when they are up for re-order early next year.

Change in CUPE Health & Safety Committee Members

Vittoria Primavera will be leaving the CUPE Health & Safety office at the end of September and moving upstairs to work as a V.P. in the CUPE local office.   We would like to take this time to thank her for her hard work and dedication to health & safety over the last 5 years.  She will be missed, however, she will be a great asset for the CUPE office and we wish her the very best.

At this time we would also like to welcome Sally Fouineteau back to the CUPE Health & Safety Committee after her maternity leave and some time back on the line.  Sally is a wonderful addition to our team, bringing experience and knowledge with her.  We look forwards to having Sally back in theCUPE Health & Safety office for October.

Thank you for taking the time to attend the CUPE Local 4092 Meeting.  Please feel free to contact us should have any questions or concerns.

Your CUPE Local 4092 Health & Safety Committee

Karen Galanyk karen@local4092.ca

Vittoria Primavera Vittoria@local4092.ca

Angela Scott angla@local4092.ca

Ph (905) 676 4352                     Fax (905) 676 4763                    osh@local4092.ca