HPC 327-ERGONOMICS AND FACILITIES PLANNING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

LESSON PROPER

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS IN AVIATION?

The important role that ergonomics has to play in aviation safety is that of minimizing human error induced
by poorly designed equipment or by stressful working environments. Of course, ergonomics can also
enhance aviation safety by maximizing human performance under normal and abnormal conditions.

A 2005 survey shows that, in comparison to other sectors, air transportation workers
§ work on the weekends more often;
§ have more variation in the number of days they work in a week;
§ have more variation in starting and finishing time at work;
§ work more in alternating/rotating shifts.

As a result, workers in the air transport sector experience more problems fitting their working hours with
their family and social commitments.
According to the European Working Conditions Survey, in 2009 about 40% of air transport workers said
that they thought their health or safety was at risk because of their work. This is a lot more than in other
sectors (27%). The main health problems mentioned are: stress, overall fatigue, backaches, and hearing
problems.
General safety and health hazards in air transport mentioned by the European Agency for Safety and
Health (EU OSHA) are: ergonomic risks, work organizational stressors, noise, dangerous substances,
vibration, unusual working times, working away from home and from a work base, lack of facilities, and a
complex work situation.

WORK ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS

Ground staff

The aircraft turn around process is critical for airlines, because they are only able to make profit when
passengers and cargo are transported. For that reason, all turn around activities have to be performed in
the shortest time possible. This causes time pressure for the workers, leading to negative effects such as:
lack of concentration, inadequate decisions, errors, incomplete tasks, and stress. Ground staff experience
stress for several reasons.

In addition to time pressure, work-related stress factors are: shift work, high work load, gate changes, early
or late arrivals, changes in procedure, and equipment malfunction. Stress affects the performance of the
workers and may cause fatigue.

Violence from aggressive passengers is a serious issue for check-in workers. The overbooking policy of
some airlines leads to increasing verbal and physical attacks by passengers. A study performed by
Rosskam et al. at three Canadian airports showed that one in twenty check-in workers had been physically
assaulted on the job, over 80% had been subjected to verbal abuse from passengers, and over 20% had
been threatened by passengers.

Air traffic controllers perform a highly demanding job with a complex series of tasks that require high levels
of knowledge and expertise, and high levels of responsibility. The main risk factors are traffic load peaks,
time pressure, shift schedules, night work, unfavorable working conditions, emergency situations, and the
lack of control over work.
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Flight crew
Flight crew members, including pilots and flight attendants, are exposed to several risks and hazards due to
work organizational factors. They work in shifts that involve irregular hours, working weekends and public
holidays, and spending time away from home, which adversely affect family responsibilities and leisure
activities, and may result in stress and fatigue.

Flight crews flying on long haul flights are exposed to changes in external time, followed by changes in
circadian rhythm, which leads to several symptoms known as jet lag. Jet lag and night flight may cause
extreme fatigue and thus decreased performance and alertness.

The flight attendants may also experience violence from distressed or dissatisfied passengers. Passengers
who behave in a violent or distressed manner can be a serious threat and a hazard to health and safety for
cabin and flight crew and other passengers.

Pilot, co-pilot and flight engineers suffer from high stress levels in their workplace. They perform a highly
demanding job that requires high levels of knowledge and expertise, and high levels of responsibility for the
safety of many passengers. Operating an aircraft overnight, flying in bad weather or in a high density traffic
area, and keeping their flights on-time are the most common causes of high pressure for the cockpit crew.

PHYSICAL WORK FACTORS

Ground staff

The main physical hazards affecting ground staff are exposure to noise and vibrations. The main sources of
noise and vibrations from airport operations are aircrafts during landing and take-off, followed by ground
operations equipment and vehicles.
According to the German statutory accident insurance for transport (BGF), the noise from aircraft engines,
auxiliary power units (APU), ground vehicles, and equipment on the ramp can exceed 85 decibels
(dB). Exposure to noise can cause permanent hearing loss at chronic exposures equal to an average
sound pressure level or higher for an eight-hour period.

Exposure to high-frequency whole-body vibrations over years may cause balance disorders, visual
disturbances, stomach problems, reduced fine motor skills, or affect the spine. Hand-arm vibrations may
cause circulation disorders in fingers (e.g. white fingers disease (or hand-arm vibration syndrome),
 HPC 327-ERGONOMICS AND FACILITIES PLANNING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

degenerative changes of the hand bones, finger joints and wrists, as well as of the elbow and shoulder
regions (Vibration).

Ground workers operating outside are exposed to adverse weather conditions and lightning hazards.
Workers especially at risk of lightning events include those maintaining airport premises (e.g., mowing
grass or repairing runway lighting), servicing aircraft on ramps (handling baggage, food service, refueling,
tugging and guiding aircraft from/to gates), and ramp agents. Since lightning strikes can cause serious
injuries or death, it is important to provide timely alerts to airport personnel so that they can get to safety
when lightning is imminent.

Workers refueling the aircraft with jet fuel are at risk of fire and explosion. Maintaining personnel handling
explosive substances are also at risk.

Aviation security screeners may be exposed to x-ray while screening carry-on baggage, checked
baggage or passengers. A survey performed by NIOSH showed that the radiation doses for baggage
screeners were low, suggesting that the shielding on the machines can be effective in limiting worker
exposures. But improper safety equipment as well as improper working practices may lead to an elevated
radiation dose. Laser scanners may injure the eyes (Safety of machinery and work equipment).

Flight crew
The flight crew is also exposed to noise and vibrations resulting from the moving aircraft. Whole-body
vibrations occur during the flight, especially when landing and taking off, or during turbulence. Poor seating
with improper shock absorption increases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Cosmic radiation comes from outside the solar system and consists of extremely energetic particles. Most
cosmic radiation is adsorbed by the atmosphere. However, doses of cosmic radiation increase with altitude.
Flying at higher altitudes common to long-distance flights can expose the flight crew to high levels of
cosmic radiation. Flight crews are one of the most exposed professional groups, with annual average
exposure at 2.4 millisievert in 2009.

Dangerous substances

Cleaners and toilet servicing may come in contact with hazardous cleaning agents and biological agents
while draining of the aircraft waste system. Maintenance workers are exposed to dangerous substances
such as oils, lubricants, jet fuel, de-icing fluids, and hydraulic fluids. These substances may be
carcinogenic, neurotoxic or sensitizing.
Service workers performing toilet servicing (e.g. draining the aircraft waste system) are exposed to
 HPC 327-ERGONOMICS AND FACILITIES PLANNING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

biological hazards. They may inhale aerosols from feces or may be exposed to skin contact with feces.

ERGONOMIC FACTORS
Ground staff
Baggage handlers are at risk of musculoskeletal diseases. They spend long hours on their feet working in
awkward body postures, lifting heavy baggage from conveyors to carts and baggage containers for
transport to the plane. Lifting heavy baggage can lead to various ergonomic hazards, resulting in injuries.
Check-in staff also faces ergonomic hazards. They often stand at a computer for long periods of time,
which may result in fatigue and back pain. They lift heavy baggage onto the conveyor and perform
repetitive work.

Flight crew
Flight attendants are at risk of musculoskeletal injuries relating to the shoulder, neck and lower back. The
risk is related to the amount of overhead reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, bending and twisting, and
working in awkward body postures.

Areas of risk for musculoskeletal injuries include:

§ Handling heavy carry-on baggage
§ Overhead reaching required to get to items within the galley and to access the overhead bins
§ Poor seating for flight attendants
§ Long periods standing
§ Bending and squatting required to reach items within the trolleys and galley
§ Pulling, pushing and maneuvering trolleys
§ Turbulence
§ Aircraft take-off and landing
§ Accidents on airport ramps (aprons)

TYPICALLY, ACCIDENTS HAPPEN WHEN WORKERS ARE STRUCK BY MOVING OBJECTS OR

CRUSHED.
§ Slips, trips and falls are caused by obstacles on the ramp such as chocks, ground power units (GPU),
cables, tow-bars, bonding cables, fuelling hoses, or spilt liquids.
§ The most frequent types of injuries are sprains and strains, bruises and contusions, fractures, cuts,
laceration, and punctures.
§ Fatal accidents also occur. Aircraft propellers have the potential to cause serious accidents.

Accidents in aircrafts
§ Aircrafts are hazardous working environments, especially when moving.
§ Flight attendants are exposed to a high-risk of injury through handling heavy baggage, unsafely stored
baggage, overhead bins, service trolleys, air stair doors, and through slips, trips and falls.
§ Conditions such as turbulences make the on-board environment more dangerous and are the underlying
cause for the majority of the injuries.
 HPC 327-ERGONOMICS AND FACILITIES PLANNING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Prevention and control measures

After the hazards have been identified, the next step is to analyze the work processes and to determine
who will be exposed to these hazards and to what extent. This will then lead to the identification of the
necessary prevention and control measures, including reassessing the effectiveness of measures already
in place. The selection of measures has to follow a certain hierarchy to ensure that the most effective
measures like avoidance and substitution are considered.
Personal protective equipment is seen as the last resort. It is advisable to involve the workers into this
risk assessment process as they have sound knowledge about the conditions and risks at their workplaces.
[OSH training| Training]
Instructions should be provided for all workers and accompany all types of measures, so workers know
and have practiced new methods and processes.
Effective risk control may involve a single control measure or a combination of two or more different
controls.

PREVENTION MEASURES FOR DIFFERENT AIR TRANSPORT OPERATIONS WITH SELECTED

HAZARDS AND RISK

Occupations in air transport Examples of prevention measures

FLIGHT CREW

Cockpit crew: Pilot, Co-pilot Basic prevention measures such as shielding

are only limited during flights. However,
Cabin crew: Flight assistant employers have to

 Assess the exposure of the crew,

 Take into account the assessed
exposure when organizing working
schedules with a view to reducing the
doses of highly exposed aircrew (e.g.
minimizing monthly flight time or
selecting flights with lower altitude) and
with special regard to pregnant workers,
 Inform the workers about the risk

GROUND STAFF LANDSIDE

Stress (aggression and violence)

Check in staff There are three general approaches to

preventing workplace violence and stress:
Air safety control staff
 Environmental: providing appropriate
lighting, entrances and exits, security
hardware.
 Organizational/administrative:
developing programs, policies and work
practices for a safe working
environment, avoiding lone working,
providing sufficient staff;
HPC 327-ERGONOMICS AND FACILITIES PLANNING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

 Behavioral/interpersonal: Providing
training for workers to recognize report
and respond to conflict and potential
stress and violence in the workplace.

X-ray, laser scanner:

 Ensuring that scanners comply with EU

standards
 Providing preventive measures such as
shields
Aviation security screeners
 Providing training for workers to ensure
safe working practices
 Informing workers about risks and
hazards related to x-ray or laser
 Providing appropriate protective
equipment e.g. glasses or goggles to
protect against laser

GROUND STAFF AIRSIDE

Musculoskeletal diseases

 Using mechanical handling equipment to

move bags into and out of the aircraft
hold e.g. belt loaders
 Provide training for all workers with
Baggage and Cargo handler suitable training in safe handling
techniques
 Implementation of task rotation between
workers, e.g. working in the hold,
working on the ramp, driving the tug,
etc.
 Providing suitable breaks and rest
periods
 Providing appropriate PPE (e.g.
kneepads, footwear and gloves, ear
protection, high-visibility clothing)
 Monitoring the workers to ensure that
they follow work procedures in a safe
manner and identifying areas of concern
(e.g. awkward and forced postures)

Push back crew, Aircraft marshaller Accidents on the ramp:

 Clear traffic regulations and procedures

 Providing training for workers how to
work safely on the ramp
 Providing information about ramp safety
rules
 Well planned traffic flow and separated
vehicles from pedestrians
 Providing appropriate PPE, especially
high-visibility clothing and hearing
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protection
 Proper maintenance of vehicles and
equipment

Noise

Ramp agents  Providing engineering/technical controls

to reduce the noise produced by a
machine or process (e.g. enclosures,
absorbent material)
 Improving working techniques to reduce
noise levels
 Limiting the time people spend in noisy
areas
 Providing personal hearing protection
equipment that is approved for the
specific operational task
 Training how to use the hearing
protection in the right way and
performing regular checks of the hearing
protection equipment.

Cleaners and Caterers Chemical hazards:

Maintenance and Repair personnel  Substitution of hazardous substances is

the first priority. If possible, dangerous
Refueller, De-icer
substances should be substituted.
 Provide training
 Inform workers about the hazards
 Provide Safety Data Sheets and
handling guidance
 Provide appropriate equipment
 Health surveillance and biological
monitoring
 Tasks must only be carried out by
trained and qualified personnel.

Stress: An effective strategy to reduce stress

should address the causes and the
Air traffic controller consequences of stress

Stress prevention through:

 Reduction of working times, arranging

work teams and rest pauses in
accordance with work load,
 Reducing shift and night work to a
minimum
 Improving work environment (providing
canteens, sleep facilities, nice office
design, good lighting, noise insulation)
 Health protection and promotion
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AIRCRAFT SEAT ERGONOMICS

Persons aboard an aircraft in flight need to maintain a correct seating posture. For the passengers, it is a
matter of comfort, which is part of the entire flight experience. However, for the flight crew members, they
need to be seated in a way that not only ensures comfort but also reduces fatigue from being seated in the
same position for a considerable period of time. The ergonomic seat design should allow the pilots to
operate the aircraft efficiently too.

Advantages of Utilizing Aircraft Seat Ergonomics

- The users are seated comfortably for better flight experience.

- The users are able to sit down and get up from the seat easily and
quickly (Especially important during emergency evacuation).
- Flight crews are able to see the surrounding outside the flight deck
clearly without having to lean forward for better view.
- Flight crews are able to view the flight instruments more clearly
and easily due to their closer distance from the instrument displays
- Flight crews are more alert due to a good seating posture
(Especially important for the flight crews, who need to stay vigilant
at all times during the flight)
- Prevent users from feeling tired easily due to a uncomfortable
seating posture (Especially important for the flight crews, who need
to stay vigilant at all times during the flight makes controls easier)
- An ergonomic aircraft seat increases space in the cabin
- The probability of backbone injuries is reduced, especially during scenarios when pilot has to be ejected
from the aircraft during emergencies
- To prevent health implications such as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

THE BEST POSITIONS FOR SLEEPING ON A PLANE

When you're exhausted on a long haul flight, there's nothing more frustrating than not being able to sleep.
With little room to play with and blasts of air conditioning firing from awkward angles, it can often prove
tricky to get comfortable. But in a bid to help fliers master the art of the in-flight snooze, Travel has
produced a guide to some of the most sleep-inducing positions you could adopt.
HPC 327-ERGONOMICS AND FACILITIES PLANNING FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY