An ergonomic assessment of the airline baggage handler

35In response to the training questions an overwhelming number of baggagehandlers, 145 (93%), felt that training must include techniques for lifting the restrictedposture and confided space. A large number of baggage handlers also felt that back caretraining will help to prevent lost time due to back injury, as well as back care trainingimproves the baggage handler's ability to conduct handling task with 129 (83%), and 123(79%) positive responses, respectively. The baggage handlers seem to be in favor oftraining, and felt that it was helpful towards reducing back injury incidents. One hundredfive (67%) felt that warm up exercises should form part of a baggage handlers routine,while 104 (66%) felt that training classes focused on lifting techniques were necessary.Though 93% of the baggage handlers surveyed felt that training must included techniquesfor lifting in restricted posters and confide spaces, only 66% thought that liftingtechniques (back straight-knee bent) training benefits baggage handlers.Another angle to explore would be the design layout or work area of the baggagehandlers. As Dell (1997) established in his work, the redesigning of the aircraft cargohold area is vital towards remedying the back injury problem for baggage handlers,however the incentive for manufacturers of these aircraft; Boeing, McDonnell Douglas,