Aircraft

Those who work in the air are now covered by health and safety legislation.

Since5 May 2003 aircraft are covered as places of work and aircrew as employees. Their employer will be responsible for managing occupational safety and health issues as well as aircraft safety and passenger safety issues.

Obviously, a large part of keeping the crew safe will be achieved by keeping the aircraft and any passengers safe. What aircraft operators now have to think about is whether there is anything extra they need to do to protect the crew.

So, for example, that might include not just looking at how fatigue affects the flight crew (which obviously can impact on passenger safety) but also how it affects the cabin crew.

Or it might involve looking at staff safety issues in an aircraft galley area.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been designated to administer the HSE Act in respectof the aviation sector, specifically for aircraft while in operation.