Flight attendants face serious risks while working

Many people think that flight attendants live a glamorous life. Even though these men and woman do have the opportunity to travel, the job duties can often be grueling. These workers are at risk of suffering injuries while they are working.

There are some factors and injuries that are more common than others. It is imperative that airlines provide flight attendants with the tools and training necessary to keep injuries to a minimum. Here are some points to consider.

Causes of injuries to flight attendants

There are some aspects of working on an airplane that are more likely to cause injuries than others. Turbulence is one factor that is present in many injuries. The beverage cart, stairs and overhead bins are also things that might lead to injuries.

In some cases, a flight attendant might suffer an injury when bending, reaching, lifting or trying to help passengers. Hard landings and having to sit in the jump seat might also lead to injuries.

Risk factors that might lead to injuries

The life of a flight attendant might include long flights and short periods off between flights. This can increase the fatigue for these workers. The fatigue might put the flight attendant at an increased risk of suffering an injury.

The fast paced schedule of this profession can also lead to unhealthy eating. Nutritional deficiencies might also contribute to some injuries occurring while they are working.

Types of injuries

The injuries that can occur range from soft tissue injuries like a pulled back muscle to more serious ones like head trauma. The back injuries that occur can be cumulative, so they might not be readily noticeable. Others, such as brain injuries, might occur if the flight attendant is struck in the head by something that falls from the overhead bins or if they hit their head on something during turbulence or a hard landing.

Impacts

The impacts that cabin crew members face vary depending on the type of injury and the medical care that is necessary. Some workers might have to take off of work while the injury heals. This could be the case for a head injury since the altitude and pressure in the cabin may exacerbate the injury.

Flight attendants who are injured should file for workers’ compensation benefits to help get medical care for their injuries. They may also be eligible for partial wage replacement if they have to miss time from work. Finding out what rights they have and what responsibilities they must uphold can go a long way when dealing with workers’ compensation.