Fume Events
Dear Members,
In 2023, at WS, there were 8 instances of fumes on-board our aircraft, and 1 reported instance for inflight, sources and types of on board fumes include;
- De-icing and/or anti-icing fluid
- Electrical faults
Engine compressor wash
Engine Oil
Exhaust (aircraft or ground vehicles)
Fuel
Hydraulic fluid
Recirculation fan failure
Fume events are very serious life threatening events and have been known in cases to be fatal.
Often, oil fumes do not smell like oil. Instead they are typically described as smelling like dirty socks/smelly feet, foul, or musty. Hydraulic fluid often has a distinctive and recognized odour that is often describes as acrid. Odour is subjective, such that different people can experience and describe the same fumes differently. Also, olfactory fatigue reduces a person’s ability to detect odours over time.
Health affects in both the long term and short term from fume events are continually being studied. If you experience a fume event communicate with our pilots. Although sometimes overlooked, Boeing provides a checklist for this “SMOKE, FIRE or FUMES” communicating with the pilots and having them run the checklist is to protect your health.
Post fume event ensure the pilots enter the event in to the aircraft journey logbook, seek medical help if required and ensure you file an IHR so these incidents and aircraft can be tracked. Should you require medical assistance post fume event please bring the form attached from IATA, this shows the doctor, who may not be familiar with the severity of fume events, where to look.
For more information on fume events please visit;
https://cupe.ca/onboard-fume-events
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Fly Safe,
Your WS & WR OH&S Committees