Employees at Delta Air Lines’ Technical Operations (TechOps) division will
be recognized today for industry-leading safety practices, policies and
training by the United States. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA). Delta is the only major commercial
airline to qualify for and receive Star status, OSHA’s highest level of
recognition for safe work place practices.
“Our aircraft maintenance technicians deserve all the credit,” said Ray
Valeika, senior vice president, Delta TechOps. “Delta people developed
this program in order to improve their work environment, the safety of
their colleagues on the ground and in the air, and the safe operation of
Delta’s 2,100 daily flights.”

John Henshaw, the U.S. assistant secretary of Labor for OSHA, will present
Delta employees Star status in a ceremony to be held at Delta’s
maintenance facility in Atlanta today.

“Delta’s TechOps has shown that it can deliver topnotch maintenance on a
large fleet of commercial aircraft while preserving the well-being of its
employees,” said Henshaw. “TechOps is a model for other companies who want
to improve their safety and health programs.”

Delta applied to OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program in 2001, and received
Merit status that year for below-industry average injury rates. Today,
Delta’s lost workday injury and illness rate is 81 percent below the
industry average. As a result of Delta’s partnership with OSHA, 32 fewer
Delta TechOps employees miss work because of illness or injury, and Delta
has realized $3 million in savings.

“Although Delta had better-than-average performance before we began this
program, the personal cost to our people from a workplace injury was
enough for us to seek OSHA’s assistance in developing an even better
program,” Valeika said. “The people of Delta Air Lines are far too
valuable to risk injury. Partnering with OSHA, led by our frontline
technicians, has yielded enormous benefits for our employees, and our
customers are better served with fewer flight delays and interruptions.”

Delta’s TechOps provides contract maintenance work for more than 180 other
airlines, including engine overhaul maintenance for Comair and ASA,
wholly- owned Delta Connection carriers.

The employees of Delta’s TechOps now are mentoring other companies through
OSHA’s program.

Delta’s Technical Operations Division, staffed by more than 10,000
maintenance professionals from around the world, provides maintenance and
engineering support services for Delta’s fleet of aircraft in addition to
a number of customer aircraft. Services range from project engineering to
comprehensive turnkey agreements that provide all aircraft maintenance
services to its customers.
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