An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler

31.2.2 Author's PreparationMany times when passing through the airport one might see a baggage handler workingand not think much outside of how fast, and how careful they are getting bags in and outthe cargo bins of the plane. From the passenger perspective, outside of watching thebaggage handlers load up the baggage cart on the sides of the aircraft, you do not see thefull scope of the loading and unloading process. There is a team of baggage handlersinside and outside the cargo bins of the narrow-bodied aircrafts, who are working tounload it.Establishing contact with a safety director of a major airline company made itpossible to go to the airport as a non-costumer to be able to watch baggage handlers workin and outside the aircraft and the baggage make up room.1.3 Exploring the Problems1.3.1 Overview of Risks Associated with Manual Handling TasksThe nature of the injuries arising from Manual Handling tasks are based primarily on therepetition of the tasks associated with the labor. Moreover, when lifting is involved thehazards can range from repetitive stress disorder to muscle injury. These injuries oftenoccur to baggage handlers because:• Handlers must adopt harmful postures in order to handle loads (Thomas et al.,1995);• Handlers are expected to lift loads which are too heavy (Dell, 1997);• Some baggage/luggage/objects are not designed for ease of handling (Dell, 1998);• Some workplaces are poorly designed (baggage rooms, conveyors, cargo holds),