•  
  •  
 

Abstract

Background Airport baggage handlers are involved in manual handling of heavy loads, predisposing them to the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aimed to determine the burden of self-reported MSDs and their associated factors among airport baggage handlers in Brunei Darussalam.

Methods In this cross-sectional study, we used a self-administered questionnaire to collect demographic and work profile data. We also incorporated the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire to assess body-part MSD symptoms over a 12-month period. Baggage handlers’ perceptions of the likelihood of specific work tasks related to MSDs and of preventative measures were also sought.  The data were summarized using descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the statistical significance of associations between demographic and work factors and MSD burden.

Results The study received a response rate of 58%. 12-month proportion for self-reported MSD was 86.5%. Low back pain (70%), upper back pain (62%), and shoulder pain (43%) were commonly reported MSDs. Loading containers in the baggage room, baggage handling inside narrow-body aircraft, and pushing/pulling trailers were found to be high-risk work tasks for MSD symptoms. Improved staff rostering, reduced process pace, and the use of ‘heavy’ tags were perceived as beneficial control measures.

Conclusion The 12-month proportion of self-reported MSDs was high (86.5%) among airline baggage handlers. Longer employment duration and baggage handling in narrow-body aircraft were significantly associated with higher MSDs. These findings indicate the need to reinforce workplace policies, procedures, resource allocation, and targeted interventions to prevent MSD in this occupational group.

References

  1. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Annual report, 'The World of Air Transport in 2019' [Internet]. 2000. Available from: https://www.icao.int/annual-report-2019/Pages/the-world-of-air-transport-in-2019.aspx
  2. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Aircraft turnaround: a guide for airport and aerodrome operators, airlines, and service providers on achieving control, co-operation, and co-ordination [Internet]. 2000. Available from: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg209.pdf
  3. Hutter FG, Pfennig A. Reduction in ground times in passenger air transport: a first approach to evaluate mechanisms and challenges. Appl Sci. 2023;13(3):1380. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3390/app13031380
  4. International Ergonomics Association (IEA). What is ergonomics? [Internet]. 2000. Available from: https://iea.cc/what-is-ergonomics
  5. Bergsten EL, Mathiassen SE, Vingård E. Psychosocial work factors and musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional study among Swedish flight baggage handlers. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:1–11. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/798042
  6. Asadi H, Mott JH, Yu D. Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries among airport customer service employees. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting. 2019;63(1):1964–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1071181319631368
  7. Adakporia K a O, Rahman A, Alamina F. Ergonomic risk assessment of baggage handlers in helipad operations. Int J Sci Res (IJSR). 2022;11(10):1169–78. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21275/sr221017153533
  8. Korkmaz SV, Hoyle JA, Knapik GG, Splittstoesser RE, Yang G, Trippany DR, et al. Baggage handling in an airplane cargo hold: an ergonomic intervention study. Int J Ind Ergon. 2006;36(4):301–12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2005.12.001
  9. Eatough EM, Way JD, Chang CH. Understanding the link between psychosocial work stressors and work-related musculoskeletal complaints. Appl Ergon. 2011;43(3):554–63. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2011.08.009
  10. Wahlström J, Bergsten E, Trask C, Mathiassen SE, Jackson J, Forsman M. Full-shift trunk and upper arm postures and movements among aircraft baggage handlers. Ann Occup Hyg. 2016;60(8):977–90. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/annhyg/mew043
  11. Bulduk S, Bulduk EÖ, Güler A. Job satisfaction among aircraft baggage handlers and their exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a case study. Work. 2017;56(2):301–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.3233/wor-172494 
  12. Tafazzol A, Aref S, Mardani M, Haddad O, Parnianpour M. Epidemiological and biomechanical evaluation of airline baggage handling. Int J Occup Saf Ergon. 2015;22(2):218–27. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2015.1126457
  13. Møller SP, Brauer C, Mikkelsen S, Alkjær T, Koblauch H, Pedersen EB, et al. Risk of subacromial shoulder disorder in airport baggage handlers: combining duration and intensity of musculoskeletal shoulder loads. Ergonomics. 2017;61(4):576–87. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139.2017.1382721
  14. Bern SH, Brauer C, Møller KL, Koblauch H, Thygesen LC, Simonsen EB, et al. Baggage handler seniority and musculoskeletal symptoms: Is heavy lifting in awkward positions associated with the risk of pain? BMJ Open. 2013;3(11):e004055. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004055
  15. Brauer C, Mikkelsen S, Pedersen EB, Møller KL, Simonsen EB, Koblauch H, et al. Occupational lifting predicts hospital admission due to low back pain in a cohort of airport baggage handlers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2019:;93(1):111–22. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-019-01470-z
  16. Briggs AM, Woolf AD, Dreinhöfer K, Homb N, Hoy DG, Kopansky-Giles D, et al. Reducing the global burden of musculoskeletal conditions. Bull World Health Organ. 2018;96(5):366–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.17.204891 
  17. Luttman A, et al. Preventing musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace. Protecting workers' health series No. 5. World Health Organization; 2003. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42651
  18. Da Costa BR, Vieira ER. Risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review of recent longitudinal studies. Am J Ind Med. 2009;53(3):285–323. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20750  
  19. Bevan S. Economic impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) on work in Europe. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2015;29(3):356–73. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2015.08.002
  20. Rosado AS, Baptista JS, Guilherme MNH, Guedes JC. Economic impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders—a systematic review. In: Studies in systems, decision and control [Internet]. 2022. p. 599–613. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12547-8_48
  21. Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Health and safety at work, summary statistics for Great Britain [Internet]. 2018. Available from: https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh1718.pdf
  22. United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fact sheet: occupational injuries and illnesses resulting in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), injuries, illnesses, and fatalities [Internet]. 2020. Available from: https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/case/msds.htm
  23. Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS), Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE), Brunei Darussalam. Report of the mid-year population estimates [Internet]. 2019. Available from: http://www.deps.gov.bn/DEPD%20Documents%20Library/DOS/POP/2019/Rep_MidYr_2019.pdf 
  24.  Brunei Airport (BWN). Brunei-airport.com [Internet]. 2021. Available from: https://www.brunei-airport.com/
  25.  World Health Organization (WHO). Obesity: preventing and managing the global epidemic, report of a WHO consultation. World Health Organization technical report series, 894, i–253. 2000. Available from: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/42330
  26.  Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sørensen F, Andersson G, et al. Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987;18(3):233–7. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-x
  27. Crawford JO. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Occup Med. 2007;57(4):300–1. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqm036 
  28. Dell G. Airline baggage handler back injuries: A survey of baggage handler opinion on causes and prevention. Saf Sci Monit. 1998;2(2). Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Geoff_Dell/publication/237663145_AIRLINE_BAGGAGE_HANDLER_BACK_INJURIES_A_SURVEY_OF_BAGGAGE_HANDLER_OPINION_ON_CAUSES_AND_PREVENTION/links/554c18570cf29752ee7ed84b.pdf 
  29. Dell G. Survey of airline baggage handlers suggests methods to prevent back injuries. Flight Saf Found Airport Oper. 1998;24(5):1–8. Available from: https://flightsafety.org/ao/ao_sept_oct98.pdf 
  30. Oxley L, Riley D, Tapley S. Musculoskeletal ill-health risks for airport baggage handlers. Health and Safety Executive (HSE), UK. RR675. 2009. Available from: https://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr675.pdf
  31. Ganesan V, Saudi ASM, Balakrishnan A, Shafii NZ, Kamarudin MKA, Khairuddin MZF, et al. An ergonomic assessment of musculoskeletal disorders among airport bag handlers: A case study in Malaysia. Int J Res Pharm Sci. 2018;25;9:83–7. Available from: https://pharmascope.org/ijrps/article/view/549
  32. Lai A, Yin KO, Balalla S, Khin LW, Balalla NB, Naing L. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the dental profession in Brunei Darussalam. Brunei Int Med J. 2013;9(3):156–64. Available from: http://www.bimjonline.com/PDF/Bimj%202013%20Volume%209,%20Issue%203/201393156.pdf 
  33. Rahman HA, Abdul-Mumin K, Naing L. Psychosocial work stressors, work fatigue, and musculoskeletal disorders: Comparison between emergency and critical care nurses in Brunei public hospitals. Asian Nurs Res. 2017;11(1):13–8. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anr.2017.01.003
  34. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), USA. Reducing musculoskeletal disorders among airport baggage screeners and handlers. Workplace Solutions. 2015. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2015-201/pdfs/2015-201.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2015201
  35. Employment Order. Part VII, rest days, hours of work, holidays, and other conditions of service. Government Gazette, Brunei Darussalam. 2009. Available from: https://www.agc.gov.bn/AGC%20Images/LAWS/Gazette_PDF/2009/EN/s037.pdf 
  36. Tapley S, Riley D. Baggage handling in narrow-bodied aircraft: Identification and assessment of musculoskeletal injury risk factors. In: Contemporary Ergonomics. 2005:17-22. Available from: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003419969-5/baggage-handling-narrow-bodied-aircraft-identification-assessment-musculoskeletal-injury-risk-factors-sarah-tapley-david-riley

Download

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.