Airline workers in Minnesota and throughout the country perform some of the most difficult jobs. As a result, it’s normal for them to suffer injuries at work. Here are some of the more common ones.
Repetitive motion injuries
Repetitive motion injuries involving strain and overexertion to the muscles, joints, nerves and tendons commonly affect airline workers who continuously lift and carry baggage. Passengers’ luggage can weigh an average of 32 to 70 pounds. If a worker has to keep lifting this range of weight, it can take a toll on their bodies and lead to injuries that can lead to the filing of workers’ compensation claims.
Slip and fall injuries
Airline workers can suffer slip and fall accidents and injuries when maneuvering around luggage, debris, spills and other wet conditions on the floor or ground. If someone is not careful or isn’t aware of the hazard, they can fall and suffer a sprain, fracture, broken bone, bruising or even more serious injuries like a traumatic brain injury if they hit their head.
These types of accidents and injuries most often occur when workers are on airport ramps. In the worst-case scenario, a worker can be crushed by a moving object.
Noise exposure
Anyone who works for an airline could be exposed to excessive noise on a regular basis. This can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus and other hearing-related injuries. If an airline worker suffers long-term noise exposure, they might have to file workers’ comp to take time off to undergo hearing tests and heal from their condition.
Violent passengers
Sometimes, airline passengers can grow impatient, unruly and violent. When they take their aggressions out on workers, it can result in serious injuries and emotional trauma.
