Without baggage handlers, peoples’ luggage does not get loaded and planes do not leave on time. Airline baggage handlers spend most of their day transferring all this luggage and lifting up to 50 pounds by hand in conditions ranging from frigid cold to sweltering heat.

The difficult physical labor involved in baggage handling leaves workers at increased risk for serious injuries on the job. Loading and unloading cargo on a busy airport tarmac poses unique risks of injury. Something as simple as losing grip on a suitcase can cause a person to fall and become hurt.

These are some of the most common types of accidents in which baggage handlers get injured:

– Slip and falls on the tarmac
– Vehicle collisions on the tarmac
– Back injuries from lifting heavy items
– Exposure to extreme weather conditions
– Deep cuts or severe bruising from aircraft machinery
– Vehicles on the tarmac striking workers who are on foot
– Separated joints or degenerated cartilage from repetitive motions

According to a recent study from the Flight Safety Foundation, a staggering 85% of back injuries to baggage handlers occur during the loading and unloading of narrow body aircraft. The cramped design of some baggage compartments results in significant limitations on the range of motion a baggage handler can use to push, pull, and stack baggage.

Constantly lifting heavy bags puts a lot of stress on the body, and is one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in any industry. Hours of repetitive work can cause long-term stress and significant joint degeneration.

An experienced work injury lawyer can help you if you suffered serious injuries at your job while working at an airport. Call (312) 726-5567 for a free consultation or contact us online. We are dedicated to providing excellent support and fierce legal representation to people injured at work in Illinois since 1962.