An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler

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