An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler

12vertebrae are aligned, their centers form a canal, which the spinal cord and nerves passthrough connecting the cord to the body's network of nerves.Ligaments and muscles help form the connection of the vertebrae. This systemprovides strength and stability while also allowing a range of flexibility. Strains(muscle) or sprains (ligaments) of these structures within the system are a commonsource of low back pain.The lower back contains six vertebral discs that protect the lumbar vertebrae,while also serving as cushioning shock absorbers and stabilizers. The vertebral disk ismade up of the nucleus pulposis, a soft jelly-like center, and the fibrous armularis, a toughfibrous outer portion of surrounding the nucleus. As the discs become worn formmovement and activity, i.e. material handling such as baggage handling, discs maydegenerate under stress or as a result of the normal aging process. Vertebral fractures orpressure from protruding disks at the point where nerves pass through spinal openingscan impinge or pinch the nerves, causing damage and pain. Figure 2.3 provides aschematic illustration of the spinal nerve pinching by herniated disk.The spinal cord passes through the vertebrae canal allowing for transmission ofelectrical signals from the brain to the skeletal muscles of the body. Spinal nerves flowthrough the spinal foramen between each set of vertebral bodies. If the spinal cord,nerves or vertebral housing is damaged from some type of trauma, or overuse throughexcess material handling, compression and or impingement of the spinal nerves maypotentially result causing pain, numbness, or loss of function of the body parts, which itinnervates.