Assessment of Cargo Handling Ergonomics in One of the Airports of Iran

Cargo workers at Ahvaz Airport in Ahvaz, Iran are at risk of musculoskeletal disorders. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate their carrying out tasks and postures.

In this descriptive-analytical study, the census method was used to select 21 cargo workers in Ahvaz Airport. Task analysis was carried out by Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC). Moreover, the Manual Handling Assessment Charts were used to evaluate the manual load. The tools employed in this study included observation, photography, and a Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorder Questionnaire (CMQD) questionnaire. Statistical calculations were performed in SPSS (version 16) and Spearman's correlation coefficient for the variables.

Each of the cargo workers of Ahvaz airport moves an average of 400 bags per shift. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a significant relationship between musculoskeletal disorders and the variables of age, height, and Body Mass Index with values of 0.002, 0.005, and 0.003, respectively. The QEC method was used to observe the worst postures with a numerical score between 50 and 70, which were related to the standing posture at the flat roller and the sitting posture in the aircraft cargo. The examination of the CMQD questionnaire revealed that 61.6%, 65%, and 62% of diseases were related to shoulder, arm, and back, respectively.

After job analysis by the HTA method and evaluation of the results through the QEC method, it was determined that loading and arranging luggage in the cart and cargo were the most risky tasks. Both the MAC and QEC methods also indicated the necessity of an immediate change in the process of moving luggage.