Airline Cleaners Allege a Lack of Coronavirus Training and Supplies

Local government officials are requesting a study from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) about steps being taken to prevent airport workers from contracting COVID-19, the Los Angeles Times reports. The study request from the Los Angeles City Council came about after cleaners tasked with disinfecting aircraft landing at LAX from China and other countries with high rates of coronavirus refused to enter the planes to disinfect them.

The employees work for a company that cleans airplanes and handles cargo at 20 of the nation’s busiest airports. The company services American, Delta, United, and Southwest airlines.

Workers claim they have not received training on protecting themselves from the new virus and were not given masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE). They took their grievances to the city’s Bureau of Contract Administration last month but were told the bureau only investigates wage disputes.

A 2017 Los Angeles ordinance requires all airport employees, including those who work for a contractor, to undergo 16 hour of emergency response training to teach workers the definition and impact of “hazardous materials” and “infectious diseases.” Although LAX employees say they don’t recall receiving such training, their employer said all company workers have been given the proper equipment and instructions.