Aviation Health Working Group minutes: 16 October 2002

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Aviation Health Working Group

16 October 2002, Great Minster House, London SW1P

Present

   

Chair

Peter Smith

DfT/MLD

Secretary

Michael Lee

DfT/MLD
 

Dr Bill Maton-Howarth

DH
 

Tom Hamilton

CAA/SRG
 

Dr Tony Evans

CAA/SRG
 

Steve James

CAA/SRG
 

Graeme Henderson

HSE
 

Roger Wiltshire

BATA
 

Dr Nigel Dowdall

BATA
 

Simon Evans

AUC

Apologies

   
 

Michael Smethers

DfT/MLD
 

Peter North

BAR UK

Item 1: Minutes of the previous inclusive meeting (4 July 2002)

  1. With the addition of amendments received from Roger Wiltshire, the minutes of the last meeting were agreed as an accurate record.
  2. The Chair suggested that the members of the group inform progress against action points from AHWG #12, not appearing on this meeting's agenda:
  • Paragraph 9. Bill Maton-Howarth advised that the Leicester Warwick Medical School proposal had been discussed at the Research Sub Group meeting (14 October), and had not fallen within the highest priority areas. The proposal may be revisited if budget positions change.
  • Paragraph 17 (Recommendation 1.32). Graeme Henderson suggested that although the use of Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) varies from airport to airport, guidance does recommend APUs are turned off after a period of time and replaced by mobile ventilation units. Graeme Henderson cited a 1989 US Dept of Transportation study, which recommended where there are ground delays of 30 minutes or more, adequate ventilation should be supplied for those onboard. In the absence of a representative from BALPA, the Chair suggested that this item would be considered at the next inclusive meeting.
  • Paragraph 20 (Recommendation 1.42). Roger Wiltshire indicated that responses from two airlines have still to be received, but most UK operators of longhaul aircraft do subscribe to such a service.

Action: BATA agreed to keep the group informed between meetings.

  • Paragraph 22. The Secretary confirmed that a paper giving the requested information had been tabled and accepted at AHWG #13.

Item 2: Chair's introductory remarks

  1. The Chair advised that the Sunday Times campaign had been stepped up in recent weeks, though not to the extent of the campaign earlier in the year.
  2. The Chair reminded the group that the Department's consultation on CAA/HSE roles and responsibilities for aviation health, was due to close on Friday 18 October.

Item 3: Research

Cabin Air

  1. Bill Maton-Howarth reported that a contract had been placed with BRE at the end of July, looking at BAe 146 and B737 Classic aircraft. Reports had been positive, with the work so far focusing on logistics, but shortly to move into the measurement phase. This would commence with the BAe 146.
  2. Steve James informed the group of two EC research projects, Health Effects in Air Cabin Environment (HEACE) and Friendly Aircraft Cabin Environment (FACE), that BRE were involved with, in addition to Cabin Air study.

WHO Study

  1. The Chair circulated a paper (AHWG/14/4) summarising the developments on the WRIGHT Project. The Chair highlighted the difficulties that Leiden University had experienced in setting up a pilot study due to a lack of practical co-operation from IATA. Nigel Dowdall suggested that Leiden's expectations might be unrealistic.

Action: BATA will contact the IATA medical group and establish the reasoning behind this lack of progress.

Item 4: In Flight Medical Emergency Kits - Automatic External Defibrillators

  1. The Chair drew the group's attention to a Regulatory Impact Assessment, AHWG/14/3, which had been circulated ahead of the meeting. The Chair emphasised that the study was purely an internal exercise, and there were no plans for further action or legislation.
  2. BATA though agreeing with the conclusions, indicated that the cost of training staff (paragraph 5.2) would be considerably higher than the suggested figure of £2,000 to £3,000 per airline. Nigel Dowdall informed the group that for BA, the cost of training crew to use AEDs was £850,000 and that the original figure represented only the cost of the trainer and did not include the half-day per staff member for crew training.
  3. Referring to paragraph 6, BATA suggested that it would not be just smaller airlines and no-frills carriers that will have less scope for assimilating the increased costs of fitting AEDs and training staff. Larger airlines might equally not be able to absorb the extra costs.
  4. Bill Maton-Howarth informed the group of a recent British Medical Journal article on a 7-year study on public access to defibrillators. The study concluded that of 20,000 pulmonary arrests attended by the Scottish Ambulance Service, 8% of patients receiving defibrillation survived, compared to a 0.6% survival rate for those who had not received defibrillation. This suggested that the long-term survival rate of 7% assumed by the RIA was broadly correct.
  5. The Chair concluded that the assessment be retained for future reference. The changes indicated by members of the group would be made, but the paper would not be re-circulated.

Action: MLD will make the necessary amendments to the Regulatory Impact Assessment.

Item 5: House of Lords recommendations - BATA report on progress

  1. On the "collection of basic cabin environment data" (recommendation 1.25), Nigel Dowdall outlined the lack of available equipment to provide the sort of 'routine monitoring' recommended by the House of Lords. He indicated that material had been published on a number of websites including BA's, Boeing's and also in a number of articles and journals. He also confirmed that this material would include some of the routine data continuously monitored on-board flights. The Secretary confirmed that MLD had received a list of websites from BATA, and the Chair concluded that this action point had been achieved.
  2. On the fitting of ozone converters (recommendation 1.29) Roger Wiltshire indicated that no further information had become available. The Chair suggested this action point should be carried forward to the next inclusive meeting.

Item 6: Research into DVT awareness

  1. The Chair informed the group that this item had been discussed at the Research Sub Group meeting (14 October). It was suggested that for a budget of around £50k, a straightforward market research study could be commissioned. BATA were asked if they would be prepared to contribute half the cost.
  2. Roger Wiltshire suggested that a more cost-effective way of carrying out this study would be to link into the regular CAA research on airport passengers. Bill Maton Howarth expressed concern that piggybacking could limit the effectiveness of research, and would not allow a more in depth research of small focus groups.

Action: The Chair asked the CAA and DH to explore whether using an existing vehicle to carry out the study was feasible and to report progress to the Research Sub Group at its next meeting.

Item 7: Cosmic Radiation

  1. The Chair invited BATA provide an update on efforts to involve BA, Virgin and British Midland in drawing frequent flyer's attention to material on cosmic radiation. Roger Wiltshire indicated that Virgin are considering this issue with their customer groupings. British Midland have not been approached because of their limited number of long haul routes.

Action: BATA agreed to persue this further with BA and Virgin.

Item 8: AOB

  1. No further business.

Item 9: Dates of next meetings

  1. The Chair advised that the dates for the next meeting were as follows:
  • 29 November 2002 10:30 am Exclusive Meeting
  • 17 January 2003 10:30 am Inclusive Meeting

Followed thereafter on a two-month cycle.

MLD3
October 2002