On passing through an international airport, very few of us have paused to consider the health challenges that airport workers face while ensuring that our travel experience runs as smoothly as possible.

Factors that play varying roles in contributing to airport workers’ health challenges include:

• Short aircraft turnaround times.
• The pressure of maintaining high safety standards.
• Shift/ night work.
• Excessive noise.
• Exposure to toxic fuels, fluids, and fumes.
• Ergonomic challenges.
• High risks of falling and slipping.
• Extreme heat .
• Exposure to a variety of infections.
• Violent passengers.
• Running jet and propellor aircraft engines.

Below I’ve reviewed the health challenges of various categories of airport workers.

Air Traffic Controllers:

• Stress that is associated with multitasking and quick decision-making.
• Ergonomic issues associated with computer use.
• Shift work can lead to sleep disorders.

n Emissions from radars have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a “possible carcinogen”.

Baggage Handlers:

• Back strain and a range of muscle injuries can come about from lifting heavy luggage.
• Wet, oily, and uneven surfaces, poor lighting, and cluttered environments can result in slips and falls.
• Falling from heights can result in significant injuries.
• Injuries from handling hazardous and chemical agents.
• Injuries as a result of being struck by moving traffic on the tarmac.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome can be brought on by repetitive stress from baggage handling.

Check-in agents:

•  Often subjected to abuse and threats. In rare circumstances, they have been attacked by very irate passengers. This can culminate in job-related stress.
• Due to ergonomic challenges and stress associated with the job, a relatively high percentage report neck pain.
• Back, hand, and foot pains are also reported.
• Baggage handling, computer use, poor posture, and standing play a role in the genesis of a range of musculoskeletal pain.
• Working in this type of job for 5 years or more significantly increases the chances of suffering from a range of musculoskeletal pains.

Airport/ Cabin cleaners:

• Being routinely exposed to body fluids, vomit, blood, urine, and stool can serve to increase the chances of contracting infectious diseases.
• Using industrial cleaning agents can cause skin, eye, and respiratory tract irritation.
• Exposure to these agents over a number of years can result in respiratory tract pathology and cancer.

Ramp personnel (In general):

• Recurrent exposure to jet fuel, exhaust fumes, and hydraulic fluids increases one’s chances of developing cancers and neurological disorders.
• Exposure to the high decibels emitted by aircraft engines over a protracted period can result in hearing loss.

Aircraft Mechanic:

• They are exposed to toxic fumes and are prone to injury from handling heavy tools.
  Burns from hot engines and exhaust may occur.

Security Guards:

• Are at risk of being exposed to violence.
• There is a (very low) risk of radiation exposure for those who work around x-ray scanners.

With the appropriate interventions, many of these health consequences for airport workers can be prevented. If they were to arise, timely and relevant interventions can significantly mitigate the sequelae of these disorders.

Next week I’ll review “The health challenges of office workers”.

Author’s Contact Information: Family Care Clinic, Arnos Vale, clinic@familycaresvg.com, 1(784)570-9300 (Office), 1(784)455-0376 (WhatsApp)
Disclaimer: The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, Family Care Clinic or The Searchlight Newspaper or their associates, respectively, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided