One of the most important, and often overlooked, jobs at airports throughout Illinois, and elsewhere, is the baggage handler. In the process of loading, transferring and unloading bags and other items on and off of planes, these workers face a number of workplace hazards that could result in serious injuries.
Overexertion injury risks
The potential for overexertion can be one of the largest injury risks for baggage handlers on the job. In addition to handling travelers’ baggage and other cargo, workers also often have to push or pull carts and cargo bins, and position belt loaders. These items and equipment can be heavy, oversized or oddly shaped. As a result, loading and unloading baggage, as well as moving certain equipment, can result in risks including:
The possibility of an agent having to put their body into awkward positions or work in limited spaces.
The potential for suffering a repetitive motion injury.
The danger of lifting a load that is too heavy or carrying items of uneven weights.
Beyond these workplace dangers, baggage agents also run the risk of using excessive force or performing extended reaches.
The chance of not providing their body with adequate time to recover from exertions.
Overexertion dangers such as these can cause a range of injuries with differing severities, including strains, sprains and pulled muscles, in addition to other musculoskeletal injuries.
Potential equipment dangers
Baggage handlers can be struck by, or otherwise come into contact with, belt loaders and other tools. It is possible for articles of clothing or body parts to get stuck, snagged or pulled into equipment. Straps and handles on luggage and bags can break, or easily be caught or snagged on belt loaders, which can result in a worker injury. Bags and cargo are often tucked and stacked on carts and in cargo holds. In the event the bags fall, workers could be injured by bags falling on them, as well as while reaching out, or otherwise attempting to prevent the bags from falling.
Baggage handlers can suffer injuries, including bruises, cuts, crushing injuries and brain injuries due to incidents and accidents involving equipment.
Weather conditions
Much of baggage handlers’ work is done outdoors. As a result, workers are subjected to the weather conditions. During the winter months, snow, ice and low temperatures can be hazardous for workers. Excessive heat during the summer months can also be dangerous.
Workers can slip, fall or trip on slick surfaces from ice or snow. There is also a risk for heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses.
When baggage handlers suffer these injuries, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Workers in this field, who have sustained an injury at work, may find it helpful to discuss their case with an attorney to understand what they may be entitled to.
After completing law school Donald became an assistant Attorney General for 7 years and was assigned to the Industrial Commission Division. During that time he spent evenings establishing his own firm. Donald became a founding partner of a large workers’ compensation/personal injury firm but decided to leave the firm in 1990 to start a smaller “boutique” firm with the belief that bigger isn’t always better!
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