Occupational health studies on airport transport workers

Karvonen, M. J.; Mainzer, Jan; Rohmert, Walter; Löwenthal, I.; Undeutsch, K.; Kupper, Robert; Gärtner, Kurt; Rutenfranz, J.

doi:10.1007/bf00381681

Cited by 12 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Among workers operating in limited airplane compartment spaces, MSDs were common complaints, with back pain the most frequently reported complaint (among 366 baggage handlers, 66% reported current back symptoms) [55,56]. Other researchers have examined muscle strength in airport transport workers, without investigating MSDs [57], while still others measured postural forces during baggage handling at a large airport, but made no recommendations [58]. The United Kingdom's Health and Safety Executive has provided guidance for injury prevention during baggage handling operations at airports based on the UK's 1992 Manual Handling Operations Regulations.…”

Section: Airport Baggage Handlersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Working at the Check-in: Consequences for Health

Rosskam¹

2005

New Solut

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

No body of literature exists related specifically to the occupational health of airport check-in workers. The problems encountered by airport check-in workers are typical of other service-sector occupations with similar work-related health hazards, particularly those characterized by a high level of demand with low worker control, performed predominantly by women. The knowledge gap could be narrowed by broadening the scope in both traditional occupational health and ergonomics studies to take into equal consideration jobs performed by women. In an attempt to reduce the knowledge gap specific to airport check-in workers, literature was reviewed on several other worker populations whose job characteristics include elements similar to airport check-in work: computer clerical workers, supermarket check-in workers, and airport baggage handlers. This cross-population review identified the major elements that have been studied in the comparison groups, compared with the factors examined in a study of check-in workers. The review demonstrates that jobs that may appear completely different from the outside, might, upon closer examination, have numerous common exposures from a variety of sources. Thus, knowledge about one job may be useful for another that has not been investigated. The literature review reveals that it would be useful to extend to airport check-in workers recommendations from studies of the three comparison populations.

show abstract

Section: Airport Baggage Handlersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Working at the Check-in: Consequences for Health

Rosskam¹

2005

New Solut

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Reduction of nightwork by re-designing of shift-rotas

Knauth

Eichhorn²,

Löwenthal³

et al. 1983

Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The reduction of nightwork is an important preventive measure to limit possible negative effects of night shifts on well-being, health and social life. An example of a gradual reduction of nightwork in a group of transport workers at an airport is presented. After having carefully analysed the real number of persons needed during nighttime for loading and unloading aircrafts the number of shiftworkers who had to work between 02.00 and 06.00 h was reduced in a first step from 104 to 66 and in a second step to 38 persons.

show abstract

Arbeitsmedizinische untersuchungen �ber ladearbeiten auf einem gro�flughafen

Undeutsch¹,

Kupper²,

Löwenthal³

et al. 1982

Int. Arch Occup Environ Heath

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In an epidemiologic cross-sectional study, 366 transport workers (age-range: 19-61 years) of a big German airport who are engaged in physical heavy work in unfavorable body positions in narrow freight spaces of airplanes, were investigated with regard to their subjective musculoskeletal complaints through a standardized anamnesis in an interview questionnaire. An additional clinical orthopedic examination was performed in 104 of the transport workers. Back pains were the most frequently reported complaints: at the time of examination 66% of the transport workers reported present back complaints. 57% had experienced previous back syndromes. Increasing age and stature were associated with a higher prevalence of these complaints. Years of exposure to transport work correlated positively with the prevalence of back complaints. After back complaints, knee complaints followed in the prevalence of locomotor complaints (41% of the interviewed workers). The prevalence increased with age and body weight significantly. Neck complaints were reported by 33% of the workers, arm complaints by 41%: again, age increased the prevalence of these complaints significantly. In the standardized clinical orthopedic examination, the prevalence of the functional findings were sometimes higher than in the interview. In contrast to the subjective complaints at the interview, individual factors (age, stature, weight, and work experience in the present occupation) had very little influence on the prevalence of objective findings. The clinical, epidemiologic screening methods employed have proved efficacious in detecting orthopedic disorders in an occupational collective. This study has shown that transport workers with wide discrepancies between body length and the space available in airplane cargo bellies, considerable overweight, or a history of former back syndromes should not be employed. Means to alter cargo belly dimensions in airplanes as well as the increased use of mechanical loading aids and additional training of the workers in proper lifting and carrying of cargo should be taken in to consideration.

show abstract

Occupational health studies on airport transport workers

Cited by 12 publications

References 9 publications

Working at the Check-in: Consequences for Health

Working at the Check-in: Consequences for Health

Reduction of nightwork by re-designing of shift-rotas

Arbeitsmedizinische untersuchungen �ber ladearbeiten auf einem gro�flughafen

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About