Based on a review of technical and environmental information submitted by the Company, TAM operates in accordance with industry standards and has presented plans to continue to address these impacts to ensure that the proposed project will operate in a manner so as its activities comply with applicable host country laws and regulations and IFC environment and social requirements. The information about how these potential impacts will be addressed by TAM is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
- Flight Operations Safety and Security:
TAM’s flight safety and accident prevention program complies with the Brazil civil aviation authority’s (DAC) requirements, as well as with relevant U.S. FAA, European EASA and ICAO standards. The company has a written safety and security policy that demonstrates a high level of commitment in this area. Pilots and relevant other employees receive extensive training in safe operations and accident avoidance.
All TAM pilots undergo extensive training programs that meet or exceed FAA and EASA requirements, as certified by audits and airline code-sharing partners (America Airline, Air France and KLM). Training is performed by the use of simulators and flight instructors, and includes continuous and recurrent Controlled Flight into Terrain and Approach (CFIT-ALAR) and Crew Resource Management (CRM) trainings.
Other safety program component includes: accident research; Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA), voluntary reporting system; incidents database; Emergency Response and Family Assistance Program and an aviation safety committee.
As part of its safety program, TAM maintains a database and analysis system (Basis – British Airways Safety Information System) that stores all accidents and incidents that occur during ground and flight operations. The data includes information on foreign object damage, ground and air turn-backs, in-flight shutdowns, etc. When an event occurs, the flight safety department investigates to determine the cause and if follow-up corrective action is needed to prevent reoccurrence, such as to revise pilot training programs, aircraft maintenance and the like.
Flight safety in TAM has high independence and empowerment level, reporting direct to the CEO of the company.
TAM is in the process of achievement of the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) Certification. The IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices (ISARPs) are the best practices available on operational excellence. TAM is the first airline in Latin America to join in this process.
Maintenance-Related Hazardous Materials, Effluents, and Waste Management
TAM’s aircraft maintenance and servicing facility located 250 km northeast of São Paulo (Sao Carlos Technical Center) carries out heavy maintenance and substantial component maintenance. Line maintenance activities are undertaken at the Congonhas Airport in São Paulo. Engine overhaul and APU repair is subcontracted to OEM. The Technical Center operations have received all applicable and relevant environmental and approvals and permissions required by the relevant Brazilian County (Sao Carlos) and State and federal (CETESB, IBAMA) environmental regulatory authorities.
Hazardous materials, such as paints, fuels, lubricants, solvents, hydraulic fluids, and other specialized chemical products, are classified according to their hazard characteristics, and appropriately stored in segregated areas in accordance with the recommendations from the respective manufacturer’s material data safety sheet (MSDS). Storage areas feature adequate secondary containment to prevent accidental spills and leaks from being released to the environment. Emergency spill response equipment is also available to clean up any spills that might occur.
Domestic sewage and maintenance shop effluents are currently collected and temporarily stored in holding tanks prior to transport to an approved off-site treatment and disposal facility operated by Jundiai County. In the near future, TAM will be operating its own industrial effluent treatment unit where all industrial wastewaters generated at the Technical Center will be treated in compliance with CETESB permit limits and consistent with World Bank Group guidelines. Also going forward, TAM’s domestic wastewater is to be eventually directed to and treated at a new wastewater treatment plant for the nearby village of Agua Vermelha – a plant which TAM constructed on behalf of the 5,000 person community.
Waste oils and used batteries are collected and temporarily stored in designated areas prior to recycling offsite via licensed commercial contractors. Other wastes – domestic trash, empty containers, metal scrap, medical wastes – are appropriately segregated and temporarily stored prior to offsite disposal and/or recycling at government-licensed facilities in compliance with applicable County and CETESB requirements. Certain toxic and hazardous wastes are segregated and stored prior to being collected by licensed contractors for off-site treatment and disposal.
During the last three years, there have been no incidents or accidents involving releases of contaminants to the environment from air or ground operations.
- Dangerous Cargo Handling:
From time to time, TAM carries goods characterized as dangerous cargo by the ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Limited to only certain types of dangerous cargoes on its passenger flights, TAM operates in compliance with the conventions, technical instructions, and standards of these international organizations, as well as with the legal requirements of Brazil and the other the countries in which they operate.
- Aircraft Noise and Emissions Control:
Due to the low age of the fleet TAM aircraft complies with more restricted noise and fuel burn emissions guidelines and standards established by ICAO, FAA and other authorities.
- Employee Health and Safety:
Documented in a workplace risk prevention manual, TAM has an active occupational health and safety program (PPRA) focused on reducing or eliminating workplace risks to its employees in compliance with Brazilian requirements and consistent with World Bank Group guidelines. Areas of coverage include minimizing exposures to: workplace chemical and biological agents (i.e., air quality and respiratory protection and hazardous chemicals exposures); workplace noise controls and hearing protection; ergonomic risks and hazards; prevention of contact with dangerous mechanical equipment and moving parts and electrical hazards. Appropriate personnel protective equipment is provided. Maintenance facilities are designed and operated to protect the health and safety of employees, and accident prevention procedures are in place. TAM also has an established employee medical program which helps assure the health of its workers. Personnel participate in extensive health and safety training programs, including emergency response and fire fighting.
- Environmental Management Systems:
TAM is in the process of developing and implementing an environmental management system (EMS), with the objective of certifying their Technical Center to ISO 14001, the international EMS standard. The foundation of the EMS, a corporate environmental policy has been drafted, and the Company is now preparing the necessary documentation, including various operating procedures, as well as establishing organizational responsibilities and monitoring protocols.
