Baggage Handlers Research Articles

Time Study for the Power Stow Rollertrack Conveyor for Airport Baggage Handling

A time study was conducted to evaluate the operation efficiency and the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for using the Power Stow Rollertrack Conveyor (PSRC) for baggage handling in the cargo holds of narrow-bodied aircrafts. The PSRC employs a retractable roller conveyor from a belt loader to provide powered transportation for loading and unloading baggage in the cargo holds. Thirteen baggage handlers at the Boston Logan International Airport participated in the data collection, which involved videotaping their work postures and methods during baggage handling operations in the cargo holds of the Boeing 737 and 757 aircrafts. Results showed that the PSRC provided improved efficiency in handling baggage, especially for unloading baggage by about 2 bags per minute. There was no significant difference in the total time spent on the risk factors for MSDs, such as lifting, pushing and pulling tasks per person for each bag between PSRC users and non-users.

Assessing the efficiency of airports by considering health and safety issues: A pilot study for Turkey

Purpose: Airport management is influenced by several related critical decisions on financial and technical operations. Optimum utilization of resources, including assets and personnel, is critical to achieve better service quality for the passengers and an efficient airport. Due to its importance, this paper aims to assess the performance of airports based on security, safety, and possible work-related health problems by considering the uncertain and unclear number of passengers and their baggage. Design/methodology/approach: The efficiency of 30 airports in Turkey is evaluated with a basic Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model with two inputs and five outputs. Then, the model is redefined with an undesired output. High, medium, and low seasons are defined in the second DEA model to estimate the number of passenger baggage. The third model utilizes the principles of Fuzzy DEA (F-DEA) that aims to handle the uncertainty for the undesired output data.Findings: The results of three models confirm that the number and weight of baggage and consequently health and safety issues in airports should not be overlooked when optimizing airport efficiency. Utilizing the fuzzy theory has the potential to help managers to improve the operational efficiency of airports when dealing with an uncertain number of passengers and estimating the workload of baggage handlers.Research limitations/implications: No permission was given to make interviews with the ground handling personnel and gather real-life data to analyze task durations and workers’ body movements.Practical implications: Inputs, outputs, and undesired output defined in this study can be used to assess the airports in any other country.Social implications: The importance of health and safety issues for passengers, airport personnel, baggage handlers, and the residents who live close to the airports is considered.Originality/value: This study contributes to the airport performance assessment literature by considering the uncertain and dynamic data related to health and safety issues. This pioneering study, up-to-best knowledge, is the first to assess the airports in Turkey by DEA with the defined undesired output (baggage handler workload) and also utilizing the fuzzy model for the uncertain data.

A Data-Driven Approach for Baggage Handling Operations at Airports

Before each flight departs, baggage has to be loaded into containers, which are then forwarded to the airplane. Planning the loading process consists of setting the start times for the loading process and depletion of the baggage storage as well as assigning handling facilities and workers. Flight delays and uncertain arrival times of passengers at the check-in counters require plans that are adjusted dynamically every few minutes and, hence, an efficient planning procedure. We propose a model formulation and a solution procedure that utilize historical flight data to generate reliable plans in a rolling planning fashion, allowing problem parameters to be updated in each reoptimization. To increase the tractability of the problem, we employ a column generation–based heuristic in which new schedules and work profiles are generated in subproblems, which are solved as dynamic programs. In a computational study, we demonstrate the robust performance of the proposed procedure based on real-world data from a major European airport. The results show that (i) the procedure outperforms both a constructive heuristic that mimics human decision making and a meta heuristic (tabu search) and (ii) being able to dynamically (re)allocate baggage handlers leads to improved solutions with considerably fewer left bags.

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Knowledge of its Causes and Prevention among Airport Baggage Handlers

Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Knowledge of its Causes and Prevention among Airport Baggage Handlers

Investigation of work technique training to reduce physical loads on the musculoskeletal system among airport baggage handlers - Results from the quasi-experimental ErgonAir study

Investigation of work technique training to reduce physical loads on the musculoskeletal system among airport baggage handlers - Results from the quasi-experimental ErgonAir study

COVID-19 and Domestic Airlines Operations in Nigeria: The Emerging Issues

The study was conducted to investigate how the outbreak of COVID-19 has affected the operational performance of Nigeria domestic airlines. The study adopted a survey approach with a population of Six Hundred and Fifty-Five (655) respondents drawn randomly from full-time employees (Station Managers, Pilots, Engineers, Cabin crew and Baggage Handlers) of the five domestic airlines, Air Peace, Azman, Arik Air, Aero Contractor and Dana Airline operating at Murtala Mohammed and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airports and a descriptive statistic was specified using Logistics Regression model. The study found that the Outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic affects operations, revenue, the attitude of the customer, and labor turnover of skilled professionals and ultimately affects the optimal performance of domestic airlines. It was recommended that the management of domestic airlines put up effective strategies for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in view of its impact on the operations of domestic airlines. The a irline ope r a t o r s should s tr eng then the implementation of COVID-19 pandemic health safety protocols since it has an impact on the confidence of the flying public and that the management of domestic airlines should explore alternative means of funding to meet up with their financial requirements since the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the revenue base of domestic airlines in Nigeria. The study concluded that for Nigerian domestic airlines to sustain their airline businesses, it is imperative that sound strategies for the management of COVID-19 impact be put in place to assure the revamping and continuous flight operation, increased revenue generation, redeeming the confidence of air passengers and retention/r e - engagement of technical/skilled professionals.

Pandemia e desemprego no Brasil

Resumo A pandemia da COVID-19 é um problema de saúde pública global que imprimiu uma nova dinâmica à economia mundial. A rápida propagação da doença e o uso do distanciamento como forma de prevenção expuseram as desigualdades sociais e urbanas das cidades capitalistas. No Brasil, como em outros países, o isolamento social promoveu rápidas mudanças no mercado de trabalho, com impactos mais severos para 37,3 milhões de pessoas que vivem na informalidade, já que elas não têm direitos como Fundo de Garantia por Tempo de Serviço (FGTS) e seguro-desemprego. Para a Organização Internacional do Trabalho (OIT), as primeiras demissões estão ocorrendo entre aqueles que vivem do trabalho precário, como terceirizados, balconistas, garçons, funcionários de cozinha, diaristas, manipuladores de bagagem e produtos de limpeza. Assim, faremos uma breve síntese das consequências que a crise sanitária vem promovendo para os trabalhadores brasileiros, bem como proporemos medidas de enfrentamento que não se limitem aos auxílios emergenciais. A recuperação e a criação de ocupações dependerão, entre outros fatores, da retomada dos gastos com programas sociais e econômicos que reduziram as desigualdades sociais no início deste século, como o Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento em Favelas (PAC-Favelas); o Programa Minha Casa, Minha Vida; o Programa Bolsa Família (PBF); e o Programa de Geração de Emprego e Renda (Proger) com recursos do Fundo de Amparo ao Trabalhador (FAT). Esses programas podem e devem ser ampliados a fim de fazer com a que a economia retome o crescimento em longo prazo.

Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Injuries among Airport Customer Service Employees

Musculoskeletal pain and discomfort are common among baggage handlers and airport customer service agents, yet little has been done to understand and address their frequent exposure to ergonomic risks when handling customer baggage. The objective of this study is to assess various areas of airport customer service (ACS) to identify the areas with high risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Subjective surveys and objective assessment tools were used to assess the physical workloads of 377 airport employees. Findings showed that ramp agents experienced higher workload and musculoskeletal injury risks. The overall workload for ALAs (Aircraft Loading Agents) is reported to be 4.3 to 11.1 higher than cargo, and gate and VIP club agents ( p<0.05) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) of employees showed than the REBA scores for ALAs are 3.5 to 4.8 points higher than cargo agents, customer service agents, gate agents and VIP club employees ( p<0.001). To address these exposures, several interventions may reduce the overall risk of injuries and improve long-term productivity of aircraft loading/unloading agents and baggage handlers.

Occupational lifting predicts hospital admission due to low back pain in a cohort of airport baggage handlers

PurposeTo examine if occupational lifting assessed as cumulative years as a baggage handler is associated with first-time hospital diagnosis or treatment for low back disorders.MethodsThis study is based on the Copenhagen Airport Cohort consisting of male baggage handlers performing heavy lifting every day and a reference group of unskilled men from the greater Copenhagen area during the period 1990–2012. We followed the cohort in the National Patient Register and Civil Registration System to obtain information on diagnoses, surgery, mortality, and migration. The outcomes were first-time hospital diagnosis or surgery for (1) lumbar disc herniation or (2) low back pain (LBP).ResultsBaggage handlers (N = 3473) had a higher incidence rate of LBP, but not of lumbar disc herniation, compared to the reference group (N = 65,702). Baggage handlers with longer employment had a higher incidence of LBP compared to baggage handlers with shorter employment. The linear association of cumulative years as a baggage handler on LBP was significantly increased with an incidence rate ratio of 1.16 (95% CI 1.07–1.25) for a 5-year increase of employment as baggage handler.ConclusionsIn this large cohort study, we found an increased incidence of LBP among baggage handlers compared to the reference group with indications of a dose–response relationship between years of employment and the outcome. For baggage handlers working on the apron, the incidence was particularly increased before introduction of technical lifting equipment, suggesting that preventive measures to reduce cumulative work load may have a positive effect.

Knee osteoarthritis among airport baggage handlers: A prospective cohort study.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common and often disabling disorder, which has been related to knee-straining work. However, exposure response relations are uncertain and there are few prospective studies. We studied prospectively if incident knee osteoarthritis is associated with cumulative exposure as an airport baggage handler, lifting on average 5000 kg/d. The study is based on the Copenhagen Airport Cohort, a historical cohort of male baggage handlers and a reference group of unskilled men from the greater Copenhagen area, followed from 1990 to 2012. Cumulative years of employment as a baggage handler was based on information from company employment and union registers. Outcome was first hospital admission with a discharge diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis and/or knee replacement, ascertained from the Danish National Patient Register. The cohort contained 3442 baggage handlers and 65 511 workers in the reference group. The unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of knee osteoarthritis increased steeply with cumulative years as a baggage handler. Although the exposure-response pattern became weaker and statistically nonsignificant (P ≈ .10) when adjusting for age, the risk of knee osteoarthritis was still increased in baggage handlers at the highest exposure level. Additional analyses showed that the association between age and osteoarthritis was stronger for baggage handlers (IRR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.68-2.60) than for referents (IRR = 1.58; 95% CI: 1.53-1.63), indicating that knee osteoarthritis occurred at a younger age among baggage handlers than in the reference group. The results of this prospective cohort study support that long-term heavy lifting increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Elemental Carbon and Nitrogen Dioxide as Markers of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in Selected Norwegian Industries.

Elemental carbon (EC) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in air as markers for diesel exhaust (DE) emission exposure were measured in selected work environments in Norway where diesel-powered engines are in use. Two hundred and ninety personal full-shift air samples were collected in primary aluminium production, underground and open-pit mining, road tunnel finishing, transport of ore, and among airport baggage handlers. EC was determined in the samples by a thermo-optical method, while NO2 was determined by ion chromatography. Highest EC air concentrations (geometric mean, GM) were found in aluminium smelters (GM = 45.5 μg m-3) followed by road tunnel finishing (GM = 37.8 μg m-3) and underground mining activities (GM = 18.9 μg m-3). Low EC air concentrations were measured for baggage handling at an international airport (GM = 2.7 μg m-3) and in an open-pit mine (GM = 1.2 μg m-3). Air concentrations of NO2 were similar in road tunnel finishing (GM = 128 μg m-3) and underground mining (GM = 108 μg m-3). Lower NO2 values were observed in open-pit mining (GM = 50 μg m-3), at the airport (GM = 37 μg m-3), and in the aluminium smelters (GM = 27 μg m-3). Highly significant (P < 0.001) positive correlations between NO2 and EC air concentrations in underground mining (r = 0.54) and road tunnel finishing (r = 0.71) indicate a common source of these pollutants. NO2 and EC were also correlated (P < 0.01) positively at the airport. However, due to the complex air chemistry and a potential contribution of various sources, the correlation between EC and NO2 cannot be regarded as unambiguous hint for a common source. The association between EC and NO2 was not of statistical significance in open-pit mining. In the aluminium smelters, EC and NO2 were negatively correlated, although not reaching statistical significance. The substantial differences in NO2/EC ratios across the investigated industries, ranging from around 0.2 in the primary aluminium production to around 25 during spring at the airport, clearly show that exposure to DE cannot be estimated based on NO2 concentrations, at least for outdoor environments. Results in the primary aluminium production suggest that the measured EC concentrations are related to DE emissions, although the NO2 concentrations were low. Further studies are required to assess the magnitude of exposure in primary aluminium production.

Risk of subacromial shoulder disorder in airport baggage handlers: combining duration and intensity of musculoskeletal shoulder loads

Musculoskeletal shoulder load among baggage handlers measured by combining duration and intensity based on biomechanical and epidemiological information may be a stronger predictor of subacromial shoulder disorders than baggage handler seniority. In 2012, a cohort of baggage handlers employed at Copenhagen Airport in 1990–2012, and a cohort of unskilled otherwise employed men answered a survey. Self-reported information on work tasks during employment in the airport in combination with work task specific biomechanically modelled forces in the shoulder joint was used to estimate shoulder load. Exposure measures were accumulated shoulder abduction moment, accumulated shoulder compression force, accumulated supraspinatus force and baggage handler seniority. The outcome was subacromial shoulder disorder registered in the Danish National Patient Register. When analyses were adjusted by all confounders except age, exposure variables showed close to significant associations with subacromial shoulder disorder. Results could not confirm our hypothesis that combined information on work task duration and shoulder load intensity was stronger associated with subacromial shoulder disorder than seniority.Practitioner Summary: In this study we sought to identify if the exposure to work-related musculoskeletal shoulder loading including duration and intensity among baggage handlers was associated with subacromial shoulder disorder. We found that there was an association but this was not stronger than that between baggage handler seniority and subacromial shoulder disorder.

Daily Shoulder Pain Among Flight Baggage Handlers and its Association With Work Tasks and Upper Arm Postures on the Same Day.

ObjectivesThis study of flight baggage handlers aimed at examining the extent to which shoulder pain developed during single work shifts, and whether a possible development was associated with biomechanical exposures and psychosocial factors during the same shift.MethodsData were collected during, in total, 82 work shifts in 44 workers. Right and left shoulder pain intensity was rated just before and just after the shift (VAS scale 0–100 mm). Objective data on ‘time in extreme’ and ‘time in neutral’ upper arm postures were obtained for the full shift using accelerometers, and the baggage handlers registered the number of ‘aircrafts handled’ in a diary. During half of the shift, workers were recorded on video for subsequent task analysis of baggage handling. ‘Influence’ at work and ‘support’ from colleagues were measured by use of Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ). Associations between exposures and the increase in pain intensity during the shift (‘daily pain’) were analysed for the right and left shoulder separately using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE).Results‘Daily pain’ was observed in approximately one third of all shifts. It was significantly associated with the number of ‘aircrafts handled’ for both the right and left shoulder. In multivariate models including both biomechanical exposures and the psychosocial factors ‘influence’ at work and ‘support’ from colleagues, ‘aircrafts handled’ was still significantly associated with ‘daily pain’ in both shoulders, and so was ‘influence’ and ‘support’, however in opposite directions.Conclusions‘Daily pain’ was, in general, associated with biomechanical exposures during the same shift and with general ‘influence’ and ‘support’ in the job. In an effort to reduce pain among flight baggage handlers, it may therefore be justified to consider a reduction of biomechanical exposures during handling of aircrafts, combined with due attention to psychosocial factors at work.

Combined peer-to-peer feedback and continuous improvement associated with reduced injuries at Amtrak-Chicago

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Human Factors Research and Development (R&D) Program sponsored a Clear Signal for Action (CSA) demonstration pilot to evaluate whether an approach that combines peer-to-peer feedback and continuous improvement methods can improve safety in the railroad industry, as it has in other industries. The Station Services Department, comprised of baggage handlers and other workers represented by the Transportation Communication Union (TCU) at Chicago’s Amtrak Union Station, participated in the demonstration pilot. CSA was implemented by Behavioral Science Technology, Inc. (BST) over sixteen months (Phase 1) and seventeen more months (Phase 2), separated by a fourteen-month withdrawal due to downsizing. An independent evaluation of the project, conducted at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, found the injury rate significantly decreased following employee training in Phase 2 on CSA methods. In both phases, the injury rate decreased significantly as the total number of peer-to-peer feedback sessions accumulated. The injury rate did not change during baseline or withdrawal. Interviews with Station Services employees suggested that, as a result of the greater employee involvement in safety, employees experienced an increased personal safety awareness and communication about safety.

Flying Right: Giving U.S. Airport Workers a Lift

Establishing a $15 minimum wage at U.S. airports will provide transformative economic benefits for low-paid air transportation employees who work 24-7 in a fast-paced, noisy environment, providing essential services for airlines and the traveling public. Flying Right analyzes current wage and hour characteristics, worker demographics, and the economic impacts of a $15 minimum wage for all U.S. airport workers. The public provides deep subsidies for the commercial aviation industry. Wealth in the pockets of passengers and the cargo holds of aircraft is an economic engine, supporting regional, interstate and global commerce, and creating jobs. But well over a third of the labor force (37 percent) is out in the cold, doing work that is crucial for airlines and passengers but receiving wages that leave their families rent burdened and often in poverty and dependent on public aid. Decades of outsourcing airport jobs have created a tiered labor force with low wages and involuntary part-time hours for workers such as airplane cabin cleaners, baggage handlers and cargo ramp operators, shuttle bus drivers, security screeners, building maintenance workers, retail cashiers, and food service workers. Key findings include: • 246,000 low-paid U.S. airport workers will benefit from a $15 minimum wage. • Their aggregate wages will rise $1.8 billion in the first year. • Increased household spending will support 22,512 new year-round jobs and stimulate $3.780 billion in added local sales. • Added economic activity will also generate over $284 million in federal tax revenue, a third of which will be added federal income taxes. • State and local tax revenue will increase by over $186 million, with 38 percent coming from additional sales taxes and 33 percent from property taxes. • Public assistance enrollment will decrease with a $15 minimum wage, with an overall estimated annual reduction of $433 million in public assistance benefit outlays. • Public subsidies to the commercial airline industry is also discussed. In addition to these nationwide findings, this report also breaks out the economic impacts for workers at 21 of the largest U.S. airports.

Copenhagen Airport Cohort: air pollution, manual baggage handling and health

PurposeCopenhagen Airport Cohort 1990–2012 presents a unique data source for studies of health effects of occupational exposure to air pollution (ultrafine particles) and manual baggage handling among airport employees. We...

Job satisfaction among aircraft baggage handlers and their exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: A case study.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) cause pain and economic loss. Risk of WMSDs is affected by job satisfaction as a psychosocial factor. The aim of this study was to investigate job satisfaction among aircraft baggage handlers and their exposure to work-related musculoskeletal disorder risk factors. Two data collection tools addressing risk levels (Quick Exposure Check) and psychosocial factors (Job Satisfaction Survey) were answered by 399 male baggage handlers employed in Esenboga International Airport in Ankara, Turkey. Risk exposure scores for WMSDs among baggage handlers were 27±3.4 (high) for the back (static), 42±7.2 (very high) for the back (moving), 42±6.1 (very high) for the shoulder/arm, 44±1.9 (very high) for the wrist/hand, and 13±5.1(high) for the neck. The average job satisfaction levels of the majority was either low (4.2250±1.10184) or moderate (3.1019±0.93352). In addition, low and moderate job satisfaction was significantly associated with higher WMSD risk levels among baggage handlers. Increased WMSD risk levels among baggage handlers are associated with low and moderate job satisfaction, suggesting that it is mandatory to perform intervention methods in this occupation.

Full-Shift Trunk and Upper Arm Postures and Movements Among Aircraft Baggage Handlers.

The present study assessed full-shift trunk and upper arm postural exposure amplitudes, frequencies, and durations among Swedish airport baggage handlers and aimed to determine whether exposures differ between workers at the ramp (loading and unloading aircraft) and baggage sorting areas. Trunk and upper arm postures were measured using inclinometers during three full work shifts on each of 27 male baggage handlers working at a large Swedish airport. Sixteen of the baggage handlers worked on the ramp and 11 in the sorting area. Variables summarizing postures and movements were calculated, and mean values and variance components between subjects and within subject (between days) were estimated using restricted maximum likelihood algorithms in a one-way random effect model. In total, data from 79 full shifts (651h) were collected with a mean recording time of 495min per shift (range 319-632). On average, baggage handlers worked with the right and left arm elevated >60° for 6.4% and 6.3% of the total workday, respectively. The 90th percentile trunk forward projection (FP) was 34.1°, and the 50th percentile trunk movement velocity was 8° s(-1). For most trunk (FP) and upper arm exposure variables, between-subject variability was considerable, suggesting that the flight baggage handlers were not a homogeneously exposed group. A notable between-days variability pointed to the contents of the job differing on different days. Peak exposures (>90°) were higher for ramp workers than for sorting area workers (trunk 0.6% ramp versus 0.3% sorting; right arm 1.3% ramp versus 0.7% sorting). Trunk and upper arm postures and movements among flight baggage handlers measured by inclinometry were similar to those found in other jobs comprising manual material handling, known to be associated with increased risks for musculoskeletal disorders. The results showed that full-shift trunk (FP) and, to some extent, peak arm exposures were higher for ramp workers compared with sorting workers.

A Cohort Study on Meniscal Lesions among Airport Baggage Handlers.

Meniscal lesions are common and may contribute to the development of knee arthrosis. A few case-control and cross-sectional studies have identified knee-straining work as risk factors for meniscal lesions, but exposure-response relations and the role of specific exposures are uncertain, and previous results may be sensitive to reporting and selection bias. We examined the relation between meniscal lesions and cumulative exposure to heavy lifting in a prospective register-based study with complete follow-up and independent information on exposure and outcome. We established a cohort of unskilled men employed at Copenhagen Airport or in other companies in the metropolitan Copenhagen area from 1990 to 2012 (the Copenhagen Airport Cohort). The cohort at risk included 3,307 airport baggage handlers with heavy lifting and kneeling or squatting work tasks and 63,934 referents with a similar socioeconomic background and less knee-straining work. Baggage handlers lifted suitcases with an average weight of approximately 15 kg, in total approximately five tonnes during a 9-hour workday. The cohort was followed in the National Patient Register and Civil Registration System. The outcome was a first time hospital diagnosis or surgery of a meniscal lesion. Baggage handlers had a higher incidence of meniscal lesions than the referents. Within baggage handlers spline regression showed that the incidence rate ratio was 1.91 (95% confidence interval: 1.29–2.84) after five years as a baggage handler and then decreased slowly to reach unity after approximately 30 years, adjusted for effects of potential confounders. This relation between baggage handling and meniscal lesions was present for work on the apron which involves lifting in a kneeling or squatting position, but not in the baggage hall, which only involves lifting in standing positions. The results support that long-term heavy lifting in a kneeling or squatting position is a risk factor for the development of symptomatic meniscal lesions.

Epidemiological and biomechanical evaluation of airline baggage handling

Objectives. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are prevalent among airline baggage handlers due to manual materials handling. In this study, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), the revised National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) lifting equation, and the University of Michigan 3D Static Strength Prediction Program™ (3DSSPP) were used to analyze MSDs among baggage handlers. Methods. The NMQ was filled out by 209 baggage handlers and 46 arbitrarily selected baggage handlers were evaluated using the NIOSH method and 3DSSPP. Results. The obtained results showed that the most common MSDs occurred in the lower back region. The next risky regions included knees, neck, and upper back, respectively. The NIOSH results confirmed that the subjects lifted loads heavier than the permitted limit and their lifting postures were inappropriate. The results of the 3DSSPP also indicated that compression forces exceeded the NIOSH limit in these awkward postures. Conclusions. Relying on this study, holding compulsory ergonomic lifting training courses could be proposed for workers and regulations adjusting an upper limit for maximum baggage weight must be also enacted in order to improve occupational health and prevent the prevalence of increasing MSDs.