The latest in aviation and industrial news from around the world READ MORE Executive Presidents welcome Invasive keratinising squamous cell carcinoma of the skin When I signed off my last foreword for The Log, I wrote that I hoped we might see glimpses of a better future. Well, it appears we could be heading in the right direction. Its still very early days but, as I write this, the first arms are preparing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Lets hope this portends a change in consumer confidence and a willingness to begin travelling again. This is another great edition of The Log, with features on the re-certification of the 737 Max; our new flight safety strategy, Most Wanted; and collaborative work with our colleagues at GATCO. As the year comes to a close, I want to pay tribute to the team who have continued to put The Log together in such difficult circumstances. I also want to put on record my deep debt of gratitude to the reps and staff who have kept BALPA going and who have continued to deliver for you, and especially to the staff who will be sadly leaving us at the end of the year. Thank you for your continued support. It will take quite some time for our industry to mitigate the devastation caused in 2020. However, it appears that the worst could be behind us. Heres to a better, brighter and more prosperous 2021 for us all. Safe flying, Paul Naylor, BALPA NEC Executive President and easyJet captain Malignant melanoma a prescribed disease Malignant melanoma in aircrew is set to become a prescribed disease (industrial injury) for which state pension benefits will be payable. There is a list of occupational diseases for which affected workers are eligible for pension payments, subject to certain criteria, and the list is added to as medical knowledge grows. The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) investigates the relationship between the disease and the occupation, and then makes a recommendation, or not, that the disease be added to the list of prescribed diseases. The recommendation takes the form of a published Command Paper, which is passed to the Secretary of State to initiate the amendment to the legislation that adds the new prescribed disease to the existing list. At this time of COVID-19, timescales are a little uncertain. However, it is highly likely that the amendment will happen in due course. BALPAs Rob Hunter, who is an aviation medicine and radiation specialist, gave evidence to the IIAC enquiry. The full Command Paper can be read at bit.ly/ IIACCommandPaper1. Below is an extract of the letter, from the IIAC chair to the Secretary of State, that introduces the Command Paper: READ MORE Executive Presidents welcome Around 15,000 newly diagnosed cases (cancer registrations) of melanoma occur each year in the UK (half in women), and approximately 2,500 deaths. In both sexes the risk rises with age, but a little more so in men. The key triggers leading to malignant transformation of melanocytes (the pigment cells of the skin) have yet to be fully elucidated, but are multifactorial and include UV radiation damage and genetic susceptibility. The investigation carried out by the Council established that the evidence base for an increased risk of the incidence of melanoma in aircrew both pilots and cabin crew is consistent and convincing; the pattern of an excess risk has not substantially changed by date of publication over the last 30 years although the exact magnitude varies between studies. An in-depth analysis of the scientific literature of melanoma incidence conclusively demonstrated a consistent doubling of risk for both pilots and cabin crew, and for pilots in particular, after 5,000 aggregated hours flying time. This corresponds to approximately five or more years aggregated duration of employment. From currently available evidence, the Council concluded that neither cosmic radiation nor occupational exposures to UV during flights are likely to contribute substantially to the excess risk. The most likely causes are: (i) UV exposure outside the aircraft, but there is uncertainty about the nature and patterns of UV exposure that might occur during non-flight work and during flight stopovers, and the potential contribution of exposure during recreational activities, together with; (ii) disruption of the circadian rhythm through shift work, although the exact relationship of this combination is as yet uncertain. This Command Paper sets out how the Council arrived at its conclusion and details the evidence it has reviewed. Given the clearly doubled risk, the Council recommends that malignant melanoma in pilots and cabin crew be added to the list of prescribed diseases for which benefit is payable, following five or more years duration of employment. Yours sincerely Dr Lesley Rushton, chair, Industrial Injuries Advisory Council Some glimmers of light Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, BALPA has called on the government to recognise the unique challenges the aviation industry faces in the crisis. We have been the voice of pilots, lobbying the government and pushing for action and many of our members have taken up the mantle by supporting our six demands campaign and writing to their MPs to help build the pressure. While there is a long way to go, we have seen glimmers of light in the latest government announcement ending the ban on international leisure travel, introducing the option of a shorter quarantine period and direct financial support for airports. We are not lifting the foot from the pedal, however. BALPA continues to call for more to be done to give customers the confidence to book holidays for next year, and businesses the confidence that UK aviation can cope post-Brexit. BALPA has renewed its calls for the government to set a date for when it aims to replace quarantining with airport testing, so that systems can be put in place. We have also pushed for it to support the operational and skills infrastructure that will be needed for aviation to recover. Safety first For pilots, safety comes first, and at this time of huge commercial pressure as airlines struggle to cope with the COVID-19 crisis BALPA has kept a steadfast eye on safety. Thats why our Most Wanted improvements campaign, launched in November, is so important. The Most Wanted is a list of areas we believe pose the biggest risks to safety, and an action plan for how BALPA will focus attention on these. Commercial pressure is at the heart of the Most Wanted; find out more in this issue of The Log, or go online to BALPA TV where you can see videos by our flight-safety team. Upfront
