Cabin Safety
ICAO Cabin Safety Programme
The Flight Operations Section is responsible for the development and maintenance of standards and recommended practices as well as guidance material related to cabin safety.
ICAO's CABIN SAFETY PROGRAMME FOCUSES ON:
- Regulations relating to cabin operations;
- Operator’s procedures and documentation;
- Cabin crew training and qualifications (including facilities and devices);
- Human performance;
- Design and manufacturing;
- Equipment and furnishings on board aircraft;
- The operational environment.
Overview of Cabin Safety
Cabin safety contributes to the prevention of accidents and incidents, the protection the aircraft’s occupants, through proactive safety management, including hazard identification and safety risk management, and the increase of survivability in the event of an emergency situation.
The Safety Role of Cabin Crew
Traditionally, the role of cabin crew members focused on the evacuation of an aircraft in the event of an accident. However, cabin crew members also play an important proactive role in managing safety, which can contribute to the prevention of accidents. This role includes, but is not limited to:
- Preventing incidents from escalating in the cabin, such as smoke or fire;
- Informing the flight crew of abnormal situations observed in the cabin or relating to the aircraft, such as pressurization problems, engine anomalies, and contamination of critical surfaces;
- Preventing unlawful interference and managing passenger events that can compromise safety and security of the flight, such as hijackings.