N - Informational Flyer

Attachment N

Informational Flyer

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Airplane Cargo Baggage Handling Study

WHO: NIOSH is looking for baggage handlers working in the ramp or tarmac area to participate in the study.

WHY: NIOSH wants to find out if the lifting assist systems (vacuum lift and power stow)

are useful for reducing the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, such as back, shoulder, neck and knee pain, potentially caused by your work.

WHAT: NIOSH will collect questionnaires from study participants for about two years. Some participants may be videotaped for their work to help NIOSH understand working postures with and without lifting assist systems. Both data collections are voluntary and secure to the extent possible. Questionnaires can be completed during your work time. It takes about 30 minutes to complete an annual survey and about 10 minutes to complete a monthly survey for a period of two years (3 annual surveys and 22 monthly surveys). The surveys are for investigating your pain symptoms, personal health history, work information and job environment. Some company records may be used to confirm the pain symptoms. Pregnant women will be excluded from the study because pregnancy has been shown to be highly related to musculoskeletal symptoms that may not be caused by your job demands.

RISKS/BENEFITS: There are minimal risks for you to participate. The two lifting assist systems are expected to make your job easier and are not expected to increase your risk of injury beyond the risks of your regular work. Your questionnaire data will not be provided to your company. There may be a risk of loss of Security of the data you provided due to a breach in our computer systems, although data are well protected to the extent allowed by law. There may not be immediate direct benefits to you from participating in the study, but the information you provided will help NIOSH understand the risk of musculoskeletal injuries with and without the lifting assist systems. The information may also be used for improving the designs of the lifting assist systems.

MORE INFROMATIOM: Contact Jack Lu, NIOSH researcher at [email protected] or 513-533-8158.