OSHA/Air Transport Section’s Ergonomic Alliance for

Baggage Handling

EAGOSHThursday, May 6, 2004

11:00 a.m.

OSHA’s StrategicManagement Plan, 2003-2008

By 2008, reduce fatality rates 15% and injury/illnessrates 20% through:

• Goal 1 – Reduce occupational hazards through direct intervention

• Goal 2 – Promote safety and health culture through compliance assistance, cooperative programs, and strong leadership

• Goal 3 – Strengthen agency capabilities and infrastructure

OSHA’s Alliance ProgramBroadly Written AgreementsEstablished at OSHA’sNational, Regional, Area Officesor by State Plan States

• Goals focus on:– Training and Education– Outreach and Communication– Promoting the National Dialogue

• Customized Implementation Teams• Two-years, Renewable• Quarterly Update Meetings or Conference Calls

National AlliancesSigned• TSA• Logging Association in Wisconsin• American Dental Association• Independent Electrical ContractorsTotal Alliances• National – 35• Ergonomics Related - 22

Airline Industry Alliance Members•American Airlines

•American Trans Air

•America West Airlines

•Continental Airlines

•Delta Air Lines

•Jetblue Airways

•Midwest Express Airlines

•Southwest Airlines

•United Airlines

•US Airways

•NSC International Air Transport Section

•Air Canada •Airtran Airways

•Alaska Airlines

http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/alliances/nsc_airline/nsc_airline.html

Airline Industry Alliance Vision

Year 1• Define strategy and best practices• Educate and communicate process

with interested parties• Share successes with others

-NSC Congress-VPP Seminar

Airline Industry Alliance VisionYear 2• Reaffirm membership• Review past year and identify specific

projects and goals for upcoming year• Communicate with and educate interested

parties• Expand awareness of the Alliance world-wide• Communicate with Airport Authorities and

Facilities Groups

Alliance Timeline – Year 2• March 5, 2004 – Alliance renewed

–OSHA, Washington, DC • March 23, 2004 – Year 2 Kick-Off Meeting

–Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, Ga• June 24, 2003 - AAAE Presentation

–AAAE Conference & Exposition, Las Vegas, NV• September 13, 2003 - NSC

Presentation/Panel Discussion–National Safety Council Congress, New Orleans,

La

Planned Approach

• To ensure individual airline support and continued participation, the Alliance parameters were set:– Specific goals– One-year timeline for completion of work

products– Two-year timeline for renewal agreement

Airline Participation• All signatories on the Alliance sent representation

to the meetings;• Meetings were conducted efficiently and at

convenient times/locations;• Open sharing of best practices between airlines

to familiarize OSHA with existing efforts;• Participants were open-minded to

recommendations;• Resulted in immediate changes to and

development of resources

OSHA Participation• OSHA representatives dedicated many hours to

Alliance implementation;• OSHA representatives were considerate of

inherent industry challenges;• OSHA actively participated at all meetings

including hosting airline members at SLC Technical Training Center and planning and presenting at the VPP Seminar;

• Recommendations for changes were realistic (economically/technologically feasible) and received well by airline representatives

eTool Update

eTool Updates• Terminology updated to fit the Airline Industry

-Original eTool was more based on the manufacturing environment

-Terminology was mutually agreed upon by Alliance members

• eTool format follows the process flow of airport -Now divided into three sections (Check-In, Make-Up Room, Ramp) instead of four (Check-in, Bag Cart, Loading Conveyor, Bag Compartment)

-Dimensions of aircraft bins and equipment are now included

eTool Updates• Within the process flow, hazards are listed by

level of automation and type of equipment utilized-Original eTool listed hazards inconsistently from the front-line employees’ perspective

-Hazards are now listed by type of handling device (manual, semi-automated, automated), type of conveyor system (flat plate carousel, sloped carousel, double pier belts), and type of cart/container

eTool Updates• Possible solutions are now listed according to

feasibility of implementation-Original eTool possible solutions required consideration of limitations placed on airlines by:

• TSA• Airport authorities• FAA• Equipment (ground support and aircraft type)• Operation

-Possible solutions (administrative, work practice and engineering) are now listed based on operational and economical feasibility

Progress

• Ramp Section published July 2003• Ticket Counter and Make-Up Room

Sections published September 2003

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/baggagehandling/index.html

Baggage Handling Training Manual

Areas of Concern

• Injuries associated with baggage handling are the most prevalent injury for the aviation industry

• Use of engineering controls is limited at this time due to technical and economic feasibility

• The aviation industry does not have consistent training for best methods in baggage handling

Purpose

• Cost effective and consistent training materials

• Training that is most applicable to essential job functions

• Training that is in the most usable format

Areas of Focus

• The largest # of injuries and employees-baggage handling on the ramp

• The type of injury with greatest concern-musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

• Top priority for all participating airlines-planeside loading and unloading

Training Content

• Injury Prevention–Contributing Risk Factors for MSDs

• Safe Work Practices–Principles of Body Mechanics–Stretches and Exercise

• The Baggage Handling Process–Proper Body Mechanics (task specific)

Extended Reaching(unloading cart without shelf)

• Brace oneself with an arm or leg

• Slide load or pull load close to body before lifting

• Stay in control of the load

Twisting while Lifting(unloading cart with shelf)

• Angle cart to reduce degree of turn

• Keep load directly in front of body

• Step into the turn when turning body

One-handed Lifting

• Use two-handed lift whenever possible

• Keep load at waist height

• Avoid lifting bags by handles

Benefits for Airlines

• Better understanding of the different processes within each company

• Better understanding of OSHA’s approach• Documented solutions to support and validate

projects within each company• Sharing of ergonomics best practices among

airlines• Sharing Resources

Benefits to Delta• eTool Updates

– Terminal Design Projects• BOS• PBI

• Baggage Handling Training Manual– Internal Training Content

• Corporate Training Program Content• ACS

• Interested Parties List– Networking

2004 Initiatives• eTool and Health & Safety

Topics Page– continuous review & update

• Baggage Handling Training Manual– further development of function

specific training• Skycap• Ticket Counter (2004 Objective)• Gate Check-in• Baggage Make-up (T-point)• Planeside Loading and Unloading

(complete)• Aircraft Cargo Compartments• Baggage Claim

HVY

2“Practice What You Believe In.” This year when you pack your bags to attend Congress, please pack lighter. Two smaller bags are better for you than one large bag. The ergonomic injury you prevent may be your own or an employee in the transportation/ hospitality industry.

Heavy bags cause injuries -brought to you by the NSC/OSHA/Airline Ergonomic Alliance.

• Passenger Awareness– NSC Brochure– White Paper

• Defined Interested Parties Process– OSHA Website Link

• Seminar with Airports, Manufacturers & Other Interested in Airport Design

2004 Initiatives

Future • Other Job Areas• Regional carriers• International Carriers• International Regulators