The Workplace Injury Risks Faced By Airport Workers
Many Americans visit busy airports every day en route to exotic vacation destinations, on business trips, and to visit family members. However, the people who work in airports typically do not have the luxury of fantasizing about a warm Caribbean beach during a shift. Instead, these workers are usually left behind as travelers head off to other places. Unfortunately, while the average traveler is not thinking about it while boarding, airport workers also face significant risks of workplace injury that can lead to them being hurt or killed on-the-job. And sadly, these injuries can lead to tragedies.
What Recent Tragedy Spotlighting the Workplace Risks For Airport Workers Was in the News?
CBS Miami News 4 recently reported that a worker was killed after being hit in the head by the main rotor blades while working on a helicopter at a Florida airport. The 62-year-old was fatally injured when, for an unknown reason, the helicopter suddenly jerked up and then came down while two men were using a power cart to jumpstart it. This motion apparently caused the main rotor blades to strike the worker in the head which, tragically, killed him instantly.
In 2017, over 5,000 workers were fatally injured. Fortunately, understanding the workplace risks can help airport workers stay safe and avoid becoming a statistic.
What Injury Risks Do Airport Workers Face On-the-Job?
Airports are typically a hectic place to work with an ever-changing scenery due to the many diverse groups of people rushing through. There is no doubt about the fact that airport landscapes are constantly changing and airport employees and their employers have to constantly adjust. However, a busy atmosphere is not an excuse to let safety regulations and accident prevention protocols slip through the cracks. Every airport worker should understand that employers have a duty to ensure that the health and safety of their employees is not put in any unreasonable danger.
Employers should help keep airport workers as safe as possible from workplace risks such as:
- Back injuries from lifting heavy luggage
- Tripping over suitcases and equipment
- Wet floors that lack appropriate signage
- Injuries due to poor lighting
- Illness due to exposure to chemicals or foreign diseases
- Random acts of violence from disgruntled travelers
Have You or an Airport Worker You Love Been Injured?
Suffering an injury while performing your duties as an airline or airport employee can set you back financially. However, after being injured, the last thing you need to worry about is where you will get the money to pay for your medical treatment while also trying to support your family. The good news is that when an employee at an airport is injured while acting in the course and scope of their job, that worker is generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The Miami workers’ compensation attorneys at Payer & Associates have significant experience helping injured workers in similar circumstances and we are here to help you get the benefits you deserve. Begin by contacting us today to schedule a free consultation.
Resources:
miami.cbslocal.com/2019/01/10/florida-man-killed-while-working-on-helicopter-when-blades-strike-his-head/
bls.gov/charts/census-of-fatal-occupational-injuries/number-of-fatal-work-injuries-by-employee-status-self-employed-wage-salary.htm
https://www.payerandassociates.com/avoiding-the-consequences-of-workplace-safety-hazards/
