Risks associated with baggage handling at Malta International Airport : a case study

Abstract

This study identifies that almost fifty percent of reported injuries at Air Malta, are related to manual handling. Of these almost eighty percent were injuries suffered by baggage handlers. This study helps to identify the hazards and risks associated with baggage handling at Malta International Airport. Handling baggage inside the aircraft baggage hold was identified as the most hazardous task. Pushing and pulling loaded trolleys, and pushing and pulling loaded containers inside wide body aircraft when the aircraft systems are unserviceable, were also identified as hazardous. This research summarises the opinions of twenty baggage handlers regarding their perception on the causes and prevention of baggage handling related injuries.