An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler

4• Work systems are poorly designed, e.g. frequency and pace of handing tasksincrease the risks (e.g. conveyor belt speeds, rates of upload and download ofmaterials) (VI, et al. 1998)).1.3.2 Working in Inclement WeatherA Baggage Handler's work is a strenuous job. There are many ergonomic hazards thatbaggage handlers have to deal with regularly as a part of their job. Baggage handlerswork all year long in and outside the airport, across all seasons, and in all types ofweather. The work area of a baggage handler rotates from the interior baggage room,baggage makeup room (inbound baggage area), to the aircraft, which awaits outdoors inthe elements of nature.Whether rain, snow, sleet, or hail, baggage handlers must tend to their duties ofuploading and downloading aircrafts whenever flights are in-service. Baggage handlersare provided personal protective equipment (PPEs) to brave the rotating elements.Gloves, a heavy-lined parka and raincoat are company issued to the baggage handler todeal with excessive cold, wind, and precipitation while processing baggage. The processof transferring passenger bags and material handling is primarily a manual process. Thebaggage handler must do a good part of this process manually. When there is a shortageof handlers, other workers must make up for this shortage by working on flights longerand foregoing a break.1.3.3 Working in Confined QuartersOne of the more difficult parts of performing the tasks of a baggage handler is workingwithin small and or confined quarters. Confined spaces are very small workspaces orareas that employees have to carry out their duties in. Another important characteristic ofa confined space is that the entry/access point is limited, in other words there is only one