Airline employees, including ticket
agents and ramp agents, handle passenger baggage at several
points throughout the baggage handling process. The body
postures, repetitions, and forces required to lift, lower,
push, pull, or carry passenger baggage can create potentially
serious ergonomic hazards for the agents.
This eTool was developed as part of the OSHA-Airlines
Industry and National Safety Council’s International
Air Transport Section Alliance. This eTool describes
many of the common hazards associated with the baggage
handling process as well as providing possible solutions
that are ranked according to their feasibility to the
operations. See Ergonomics
for general solutions.
Workers' Rights
Workers have the right to:
- Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm.
- Receive information and training (in a language and vocabulary the worker understands) about workplace hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace.
- Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
- File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA's rules. OSHA will keep all identities confidential.
- Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, including reporting an injury or raising health and safety concerns with their employer or OSHA. If a worker has been retaliated against for using their rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days.
For additional information, see OSHA's Workers page.
How to Contact OSHA
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.
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*eTools
are web-based products that provide guidance information
for developing a comprehensive safety and health program.
They include recommendations for good industry practice
that often go beyond specific OSHA mandates. The recommendations
proposed may not be be applicable to each airline. As
indicated in the disclaimer,
eTools do not create new OSHA requirements.
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