Manual handling of Passengers with Reduced Mobility inside airplanes: workers’ biomechanical overload risk mitigation

Abstract

This study assesses the biomechanical risk for workers who support Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) in handling totally uncollaborative passengers (Charlie) on aircraft. We looked at the workers' position, the PRM spot, the presence of armrests, the space behind the seats, and the use of ergonomic lifting belts. We used surface electromyography to record synchronized data on two pairs of experienced workers, then calculated the percentage of Maximum Voluntary Contraction (%MVC). The results show that the risk of biomechanical overload for PRM attendant staff can be reduced through 1) specific training, 2) team organization, 3) use of assistive devices, 4) proper selection of seating for PRM passengers, and 5) suitable aircraft design.

Keywords: Team Lifting, PRM, Manual Handling, Patient Handling, Biomechanical Load, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Surface Electromyography

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007931