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It might not surprise anyone that one of the top industries for workplace accidents is the airline industry. With baggage trains coming and going along with airplanes taking off and landing, an airport employee must be alert at all times. Mechanics, baggage handlers, flight attendants, ground crews, maintenance and cleaning crews, and cargo agents are all prone to on-the-job injuries.
The most common types of injuries suffered by airport workers are back injuries, slip and fall injuries, broken or fractured bones, hearing damage, head injuries, and disc and joint injuries. Heavy lifting of luggage is a common way that back and shoulder injuries occur.
The Independent reports that an airport worker was killed when he was crushed between a baggage handling vehicle and a plane.
A contractor, who was not named, was killed at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, which is the busiest airport in the world.
The victim was guiding the baggage loading vehicle towards a United Airline plane when the vehicle struck him, trapping him between the vehicle and the plane. The vehicle lifted the worker up and pinned him against the plane as it was moving into position to unload baggage. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The worker was employed by G2, a company used by the airport to employ workers.
The incident is being investigated by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.
According to the American Association of Airport Executives, airport safety, particularly on aircraft loading ramps, is a large concern.
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