An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler

172.4 ShouldersCommon injuries of the shoulders due to excessive use are when the shoulder subluxates,or dislocation, which is when the ball joint of the shoulder partially or completely, comesout of the socket. Another injury most common to the shoulder is shoulder instability,which happens as a result of damage to the shoulder's ligaments. Ligaments can becomedamaged from any type of traumatic injury such as a violent hit to the shoulder or a joltcaused from trying to lift something excessively heavy. Ligaments can also becomestretched from excessive or repeated strenuous use.The shoulders, arms, and back are used a lot for repetitive lifting and materialhandling. The baggage handler often uses his shoulders to lift, pull, and reach forbaggage and materials while loading and uploading aircraft. Studies on baggage handlersrevealed that baggage handlers who work with two-tier baggage conveyor belts systemare more susceptible to shoulder injury. The reason why is because the chances forshoulder injury or ligament aggravation increases as the height of the shelf or top tieconveyor belt increases. If the handler has to raise the weight/bag above his shoulderlevel this could cause ligament and shoulder injury.