An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler
An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler
An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler
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15production line, i.e. constant rotation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> neck and repetitive muscle contraction(looking back and forth), leading to neck and shoulder muscle strain and stiffness.In a survey done by <strong>baggage</strong> <strong>handler</strong>s and safety pr<strong>of</strong>essionals <strong>the</strong> neck andshoulders were ranked as a body part highly susceptible to injury and discomfort (Dell,1997). The task that <strong>baggage</strong> <strong>handler</strong>s perform that can be most associated with neckpain is working on <strong>the</strong> conveyor belt loading and unloading <strong>baggage</strong>. As bags flow on<strong>the</strong> conveyor belt <strong>the</strong> <strong>baggage</strong> <strong>handler</strong> must constantly rotate his/her neck and torso from<strong>the</strong> conveyor belt to <strong>the</strong> storage arealcarrousel, selectively picking up bags.A network <strong>of</strong> neck muscles (Figure 2.4), primarily <strong>the</strong> Sterno-Cleido-Mastoideusand <strong>the</strong> Trapezium muscles, allows head to maintain an upright posture as well as rotateand flex in all directions. The trapezium muscle is usually <strong>the</strong> one most affected when<strong>the</strong> subject has a soar a stiff neck due to some type <strong>of</strong> activity.