NIOSH SURVEY WILL ASK ALASKA PILOTS, OPERATORs FOR CRASH PREVENTION INFORMATION

Contact: Fred Blosser (202) 401-3749
August 2001

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will conduct a voluntary survey during the first two weeks of August 2001 to ask pilots and operators of air taxis and commuter flights in Alaska for information that will help prevent occupational fatalities from crashes.

In the voluntary survey, Alaskan pilots and operators will be asked to identify ways to improve safety along air taxi and commuter routes, in order to avoid crashes. Pilots' and operators' participation will help answer many key questions for preventing crashes, including 1) how many pilots are at potential risk?, 2) what do pilots and operators believe would make the industry safer, and 3) what practices and procedures do pilots and operators use to reduce risk?

NIOSH has worked with Alaskan pilots and operators to develop the questions in the survey, which will be administered by the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska, Anchorage, through mailed questionnaires, telephone surveys, and face-to-face interviews.

From the information, NIOSH will prepare findings and recommendations in a public report, and will work with the industry, pilots, and others to further the goal of preventing crashes. The identities of individuals who participate will not be divulged to NIOSH.

For further information on the survey, or to participate, contact Diana Bensyl, Ph.D., Epidemiologist, NIOSH Division of Safety Research, at (907) 271-5266.

Further information on other NIOSH research on worker safety and health issues in Alaska is available through the toll-free information number 1-800-35-NIOSH (1-800-356-4674) and on the NIOSH web page .