Reps. Hoyle and Van Orden Introduce the Airport Ramp Worker Safety Act to Help Protect Workers on the Job
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) introduced the Airport Ramp Worker Safety Act, which would help develop proper training and safety standards to protect airport ground crew workers while on the job.
“Every worker deserves to be safe on the job. But today, airport ground crew workers don’t have uniform safety training requirements which has led to some workers getting hurt or even killed,” said Rep. Hoyle. “This is unacceptable. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan, pro-worker bill to help make sure these workers feel safe and supported at work.”
The Airport Ramp Worker Safety Act requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop and publish comprehensive safety training requirements to protect airport ground crew workers. These requirements will help prevent accidents and fatalities among airport ground crew workers involving dangers like aircraft engine ingestion and jet blast hazards.
“Small, rural airports like those in Wisconsin’s Third District may lack the same ramp safety standards that are in place at larger airports as there are no federal minimum safety standards,” said Rep. Van Orden. “This creates more workplace hazards and puts folks at much greater risk for fatal accidents. While I am proud of the historic safety record of the U.S. aviation system, the recent uptick in incidents and fatalities of ground crew workers is alarming. I am proud to join Congresswoman Hoyle in introducing this bipartisan bill that will ensure there are proper training and safety standards in place to protect airport workers, especially those at our smallest airports who need it most.”
“Communications Workers for America (CWA) members know all too well the risks that face ramp workers. Our own Courtney Edwards, a member of CWA Local 3645, died in a tragic accident in Montgomery, Alabama at the end of 2022. Since then, CWA passenger service agents have stood up to demand action to keep all airline workers safe on the job. We applaud Congresswoman Hoyle's leadership in protecting ramp workers by introducing the Airport Ramp Worker Safety Act, which will go a long way in addressing the hazards that put ramp workers' lives at risk. Congress must include this important legislation in the upcoming FAA reauthorization bill,” said Dan Mauer, CWA Government Affairs Director.