New U.S. Department of Transportation Aviation Safety Training Venture Will Put New Focus on Safety for Next Generation of Aviation Professionals

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Contact RITA 02-05 Roger Lotz 202-366-2246

Thursday, April 28, 2005 — Aviation industry professionals will be more focused on safety and better prepared to conduct accident investigations as part of a new partnership between the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Transportation Safety Institute, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Texas A&M University’s Engineering Extension Service announced today.

The partners in the new Aviation Safety Program will develop a new course designed to train future managers on how to conduct accident investigations and safety training programs. Thanks to the Transportation Safety Institute, students in the new class will get hands on experience examining wrecked aircraft and various aircraft parts and meeting directly with safety investigators and trainers.

“This country is experiencing the safest three-year period in the history of commercial aviation and that has a lot to do with the top-down commitment to safety across the aviation industry,” said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. “The new program will build on our growing safety legacy by training a new generation of professionals who are committed to and fluent in aviation safety.”

The program will be a cooperative joint venture with TEEX, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and TSI. A formal agreement between the three organizations will be signed Thursday at TSI’s Oklahoma City campus on the grounds of the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center.

When combined with the nine OSHA-related courses offered by TEEX, a participant may obtain an OSHA certification as a Certified Safety and Health Official (CHSO). CSHO credentials are recognized by the Council on Certification of Health, Environmental and Safety Technologists. This alliance will provide advanced training and more professional development for traditional TSI students. It also provides government employees with additional credentials that are recognized by business and industry.

The Transportation Safety Institute is a federal fee-for-service agency that develops and conducts worldwide safety, security, and environmental training for transportation professionals. Since 1971, the institute has trained more than 680,000 students.