Jan. 8, 2016 // Occupational Safety and Health Administration Update

FAA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (OSH) PROGRAM: The FAA is still working to create a cohesive OSH program for the entire FAA. The 3900.19c document was originally scheduled to serve as the main backbone behind the new program. This revision was on track for publication by the end of 2015. Unfortunately, the FAA’s Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) Services (AJW-23) has decided not to tackle the Roles and Responsibilities section, so they stripped it out of the document. The revised order will be put out for comment in the first half of 2016.

WEEKLY MEETINGS: The committee continues to hold weekly meetings with Kathleen Edic (AJW-23-A) in EOSH Services.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS UPDATE: There is a new addition to the committee. Dan Sherritt from Des Moines ATCT, who will represent the Central Region. There are still vacancies in both the Southwest and Great Lakes Regions. You can view the entire committee, complete with contact information, and other OSHA information on our new OSHA Committee page on the new natca.org website.

ASBESTOS JOINT ORDER: The committee continues to participate in a working group to revise the FAA Air Traffic Organization Asbestos Joint Order.

EOSH COUNCIL: In August 2012 NATCA, in collaboration with ATO Labor Relations, formed a working group to tackle OSH issues that arise at FAA air traffic control facilities. After seven productive meetings over the past three years, the FAA has decided to no longer support it. The groups had tackled many issues such as developing new mold indoor air quality guidance and putting in place an OSH communications channel between TechOps and Air Traffic at the Service Center level. The committee will be working with the FAA to regain support for this team.

DRAFT UNSAFE CONDITION REPORT (UCR) ORDER: The committee is reviewing the new draft UCR order. The revision ensures that if a UCR is used to report a safety issue, it comports with OSHA compliance requirements.

DRAFT REPRISAL ORDER: The reprisal workgroup’s accepted recommendation is currently going through the process to become FAA policy. Once all the coordination has been completed and a policy is signed, training will begin in the field. Anyone can report any accusations of reprisal to [email protected] or call (866) 276-5908.

NATIONAL OSHECCOM: The National OSHECCOM’s next meeting is scheduled for March 16-17 in Washington, D.C. If you have any issues that you feel should be addressed by the National OSHECCOM, please contact your regional NATCA OSHA representative.

PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATION PROGRAM: The committee is still working on funding for facilities with 10 or more people. Currently it is only funded for facilities with 50 or more. NATCA will again give the Helping Hearts award at Communicating for Safety 2016. The award will go to the facility that had the highest percentage of trained Automated External Defibrillator responders at the end of 2015.

HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (HCP) AVS/AIR: The committee is working on signing an MOU with the FAA to define a working relationship between NATCA and AIR to develop a hearing conservation program.

OSHA6000 TRAINING FOR OSHECCOM: The committee has taken the OSHA 6000 online class offline for updating. OSHA6000 training is required to be completed within six months of being appointed to an OSHECCOM. OSHA states their revised class will not be available until the end of 2016. In the meantime, EOSH Service is looking for funding for several face-to-face OSHA6000 classes. If they find funding, there will be several classes throughout the country. If not, the National OSHECCOM may meet to address the issue and agree on a solution.