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Occupational injuries suffered by flight attendants while on board
R Iglesias1, G Gonzalez, S T Morales
1Medical Department, Mexicana Airlines, International Airport, Mexico City.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|November 1, 1989
Summary
Flight attendants experience frequent occupational injuries, leading to significant work days lost. Mexicana Airlines identified common injuries and implemented training to improve safety and reduce disability risks.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Aviation safety
- Aeromedical research
Background:
- Inflight occupational injuries are a significant cause of medical disabilities for flight attendants.
- Previous research has not fully detailed the scope of these injuries within the airline industry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the incidence and types of inflight occupational injuries among flight attendants.
- To identify the most affected anatomical regions and the impact on work days lost.
- To pinpoint unsafe actions and conditions contributing to these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of injury data from Mexicana Airlines flight attendants.
- Data collection period: 1983-1987.
- Identification of injury types, affected body parts, and associated work days lost.
Main Results:
- Common injuries included contusions, skin cuts, sprains, fractures, spine disorders, and severe barotitis.
- Hands, feet, and spine were the most frequently affected anatomical regions.
- An average of 1,631 flight attendants lost 15,573 work days annually due to these injuries.
Conclusions:
- The study identified specific unsafe actions and conditions in the flight attendants' work environment.
- Mexicana Airlines initiated a comprehensive training program to mitigate risks.
- Interventions focused on avoiding unsafe actions and correcting unsafe conditions to reduce occupational injuries.