Commercial airline travel is safer than ever, and Dr. Clarence Rodrigues, a consultant with USF’s SafetyFlorida, the state’s work-related health and safety consultation program housed within the university’s College of Public Health, is playing a part in keeping it that way.

Rodrigues is one of the co-authors of the seventh edition of Commercial Aviation Safety, recently published by McGraw Hill.

The book, which has a worldwide circulation, is intended for those working in the commercial aviation industry—pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers and others— as well as schools that offer aviation programs. It covers a variety of topics including commercial aviation accident causes and investigations, aircraft, airport and air traffic safety systems and human fallibility risk mitigation.

“I have been involved with all chapters of the book, to varying extents, from the fourth to the current seventh edition,” Rodrigues said. “My focused contributions in this seventh edition were in the chapters areas relating to risk management, system safety, human factors and safety culture.”

In addition to his COPH role, Rodrigues is an adjunct professor in USF’s College of Engineering. He’s also held faculty appointments at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Embry-riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla.; the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania in Pennsylvania. He also had an industry appointment as a worldwide engineering manager for ergonomics and system safety at Campbells, USA. He is a U.S. professional engineer (PE), a certified safety professional (CSP) and a certified professional ergonomist (CPE), who has consulted globally for both the aviation industry and government.

The book offers readers the latest in aviation regulations and practices, helping industry leaders ensure a safe flight experience for both crew and passengers.

“The risk management, system safety, human factors and safety culture concepts that are outlined and discussed in the text are being used and applied in public health systems, too,” Rodrigues noted. “Clearly, safety is a big component of public health, especially when millions use aviation as a means of transport.”

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health