Final answer:
Flight attendants are mainly responsible for explaining safety practices and laws to passengers, with pilots also communicating critical safety information. Safety is further enhanced through mandatory checklists and guidelines overseen by regulatory bodies like the FAA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals responsible for explaining basic safety practices and laws to passengers are the flight attendants. Prior to take-off, flight attendants perform a safety demonstration that covers the use of seat belts, the location of emergency exits, the use of oxygen masks and life vests, and the brace position that should be used in an emergency landing. Additionally, pilots are required to communicate safety-related information to passengers, such as when it's safe to move about the cabin, as indicated by the seat belt light being turned off.
Safety in the airline industry is also ensured through the use of detailed checklists by pilots, similar to checklists used by astronauts before takeoff or medical personnel following the WHO surgical safety checklist. These protocols are in place to reduce workplace accidents and ensure that all essential equipment is functioning properly. Safety guidelines and regulations such as these are overseen by organizations like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which also imposes limits on how long pilots can operate an aircraft without a break to prevent fatigue. In certain circumstances, such as patients receiving radioactive treatments, individuals are advised about potential security guidelines they may need to follow when traveling by air.