Customers Case Studies

Background

In a time when most airlines are struggling with the sluggish economy and decreased passenger demand, America West has seen steady growth. With operational hubs in Phoenix and Las Vegas, the airline has expanded its route system to 93 destinations, including four in Canada and 12 in Mexico, and has become the second largest low-fare carrier in the U.S. America West has more than 13,000 employees and credits its success to providing outstanding operations and customer service.

Challenge

America West operates in a highly regulated industry overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and numerous state and local agencies.

The airline frequently faces circumstances involving hazardous material communication and education compliance. Ground support maintenance, hanger and aircraft maintenance personnel work with thousands of chemicals requiring access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and poison and spill information. Federal regulations call for pilots to be notified of all hazardous materials on board before the plane leaves the ground. Passengers frequently check baggage that inadvertently contains hazardous materials, which must be confiscated, and the airline must identify and dispose of these hazardous materials properly.

Steve Olson is responsible for America West Airline's Corporate Environmental Compliance and Dangerous Goods issues. "There are many regulations involving transportation, worker safety and the environment – and new ones are being created all the time," said Olson.

Solution

Several years ago, the airline chose to outsource a key task of its EH&S compliance program to 3E Company. America West currently uses 3E MSDS On Demand, Poison & Exposure, Spill, Transportation Hotline and Custom Emergency Response Network.

"The biggest challenge is remaining current with MSDSs," said Olson. "The number and types of chemicals vary from airport to airport, so we depend on 3E MSDS On Demand." By outsourcing its MSDS compliance needs, all America West employees have access to MSDS information at all times. This is important to the airline because it operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with most of the maintenance operations taking place at night. Plus, with 3E's Poison & Exposure and Spill Hotlines, employees are assisted immediately; for example, if a mechanic were to get hydraulic fluid or jet fuel splashed in his eyes.

Another way 3E offers significant cost savings to America West is the call that personnel can make to 3E specialists with any questions about the handling or transportation requirements of hazardous materials. 3E worked with America West to customize its Emergency Response Network system and Transportation Hotline giving all employees nearly immediate answers to any question about hazardous material transport. With 3E's services, America West has a solid solution to HazMat transportation problems and saves itself from paying possible significant fines.

3E and America West also worked together to customize a "Pilot in Command" (PIC) solution to comply with federal regulations, which require that pilots be aware of any hazardous materials aboard the aircraft, as well as its exact location. The custom service gives in-flight pilots needing assistance a direct connection to 3E specialists. The information and advice provided to the pilot while in flight is of huge value in determining the proper risk assessment and the protocol that needs to be followed.

Result

America West depends on 3E Company's information and compliance management services for EH&S peace of mind. "The 3E MSDS On Demand satisfies DOT, FAA and OSHA requirements. The fines can be enormous," said Olson. "One fine would cost the equivalent of what we spend with 3E in ten years." "We wouldn't be able to do it without 3E," he said.

Location:  Tempe, Arizona
3E Services: 3E MSDS On Demand, 3E Poison & Exposure, 3E Spill, 3E Transportation Hotline, Custom Emergency Response Network
Industry/Market: Transportation/Airline
Company Web Site:  America West Airlines