Campaign to Protect the Health of Baggage Handlers
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
The union, Unite, has started a campaign “Pack Less”, where they will bring into focus the problems faced by baggage handlers in airlines. Passengers will be requested to reduce the weight that they carry in their bags to prevent injuries to the workers who handle bags at the airport.
This campaign is being enforced as baggage handlers carry bags at the airport throughout the day and, on a daily basis, actually carry weights equal to that of an elephant. Unite wants airlines to reduce the maximum weight permissible from the current limit if 32kgs to 23kgs per bag. The HSE Aviation Industry Committee as well IATA has publicly expressed it support for the campaign.
Unite National’s Officer, Steve Turner, stated that passengers across the
The European Commission is also planning to create regulations which will ultimately reduce the number of musculoskeletal injuries in employees across the continent.
The European Transport Workers’ Federation has also supporting the “pack less” action day. The ‘pack less’ day will focus on Heathrow, where representatives from fifteen trade unions will be handing out informational leaflets to passengers at the airport. Other airports that will host supporting events include
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