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The Insecurities of Service: Airport Check-In Workers
Ellen Rosskam, Andrew Drewczynski, Renzo Bertolini See also Article featured in "Ergonomics in the Work Environment, A Manual for Workers" Airport check-in work, an increasingly de-professionalized occupation largely performed by women, characterized as high work demand with low worker control, has been not studied, until now. We examine the occupational health and safety issues together with the impact of current management practices and work organization, on check-in workers' health. Check-in workers face numerous obvious as well as less apparent hazards. High rates of musculoskeletal injury result from frequent lifting/handling of baggage and prolonged standing while operating a computer in a very constrained space. Other hazards include violence, work scheduling, environmental conditions, and uneven workload distribution. This report identifies that quick turnaround policies, work intensification, lack of training, lack of autonomy and of a voice in workplace decision-making have significant negative impacts on check-in workers. This two-country study, conducted in Canada and Switzerland, examined check-in workers and employer injury/lost work time data at three types of airports representative of airport designs worldwide. Results show MSDs are common among check-in workers, may lead to temporary or permanent disability, and disrupt sleep and non work activities. Injury risks associated with semi-mechanised baggage systems are comparable to those of industrial workplaces, far from the glamourous image of check-in work. Frequent bending, awkward postures, prolonged sitting, and pulling baggage provoke MSDs even at fully mechanized check-ins. Ground rage and passenger violence are widespread, while protective management policies are rare. Current trends to reduce costs using less experienced, younger workers diminish job security while less attention is paid to working conditions. Adjustable workstations, change in management practices, skills development, increased worker participation and voice are recommended to make improvements for check-in workers. Click here for full document in PDF |
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Created by LD. Approved by GS. Last update 3 December 2003