Globus Skytec and Showa Gloves Improve Safety and Wearer Acceptance for American Airlines
As far as PPE is concerned, Globus is the best company I’ve ever worked with... Health and Safety Officer, American Airlines
American Airlines serves 250 cities in over 50 countries flying an average of 3300 flights a day. In the UK, American Airlines operates flights from London Heathrow and Manchester, serving seven US cities.
The Situation
At Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, baggage handlers operate primarily in two key areas: inside the Terminal at the check-in counters, where passengers drop off their luggage, and airside, which includes the tarmac and aircraft loading areas. These workers are responsible for efficiently handling large volumes of luggage, often under time constraints, making the need for proper hand protection essential given the physical nature of their tasks.
For hand protection, American Airlines had previously provided its baggage handlers with leather, heavy-duty rigger gloves, as well as lower-quality nitrile gloves. However, the nitrile gloves were prone to tearing after just a few days of use, rendering them ineffective for long-term protection. The rigger gloves, while more durable, had several significant drawbacks, leading the airline to reconsider their use.
Recognising these risks, American Airlines wanted to phase out their existing leather rigger gloves. Statistics show that if a hand is crushed inside a rigger glove, the injuries can actually be worse because of the stitching across the hand inside the glove. In addition, rigger gloves are loose on the hand so do not fit properly, so additional injuries can be sustained.
The wearing of safety gloves is not a mandatory requirement but we actively encourage their use. We were looking for a good product and one that the workers would like and therefore wear. In that regard, if they like it, they’ll wear it, it’s as simple as that. Health and Safety Officer for American Airlines
The Solution
Handling the handlers
American Airlines reviewed all tasks and activities that presented potential hazards to its baggage handlers, loaders, and drivers, focusing specifically on situations where gloves could help reduce risk.
A comprehensive total of 27 risk assessments were conducted to carefully evaluate these hazards. Through these assessments, the airline aimed to better understand the dangers faced by its employees and determine where the use of gloves would be most effective in minimising those risks.
The risk assessments revealed several potential hand hazards. These included sharp aluminium edges on baggage containers, which could easily cause cuts or abrasions. Zippers and locks on passengers' luggage also posed a risk, as did the heavy-duty pins on the dollies used to transport baggage to the aircraft. These pins are attached to small tugs that move the bags from the terminal to the plane, and improper handling could result in hand injuries.
Identifying these specific dangers allowed American Airlines to target protective measures that would ensure the safety of its baggage handling team while they perform their physically demanding roles.
The operation and maintenance of loading equipment also required a thorough risk assessment, along with the locks and stops within the aircraft itself. These components can move along a system inside the aircraft’s cargo hold, similar to a train, increasing the risk of hand injuries during loading and unloading.
To address these risks, Globus conducted site visits and performed detailed surveys to evaluate the different tasks involved. Following this assessment, a Globus Account Manager developed a customised hand protection solution tailored specifically to the needs of American Airlines.
Extensive trials were then carried out, and the results showed that the new gloves from Globus, Showa, and Skytec significantly outperformed the gloves that had been previously used.
Even small injuries from minor accidents like slips and falls on the aircraft apron can be massively reduced through the wearing of gloves. Health and Safety Officer for American Airlines
The Benefits
Safety observations made by line managers and crew chiefs demonstrate that safety has been improved. More people are using gloves than before - ninety per cent of the Baggage Handlers are wearing gloves from Globus throughout their entire eight-hour shifts. Additionally, fewer gloves are being collected because they are lasting longer.
Fewer gloves are now being collected from the uniform stores too because they are simply lasting longer. As a result, there are several benefits:
- More handlers are wearing gloves
- Costs are being driven down
- Improved safety with over a 30% reduction in lost time accidents (over 12 months) across the departments at
- American Airlines Heathrow
- Increased productivity
- Reduced wastage
- Reduced stockholding
It’s a win-win situation. As far as PPE is concerned, Globus is the best company I’ve ever worked with because they; care about what they do, care about protecting our staff and go to a lot of trouble to help us. Health and Safety Officer, American Airlines.
The Conclusion
Handling the handlers
Having found the right gloves, the next important step was to communicate with the workforce. The Globus Account Manager assisted and delivered ‘Toolbox Talks’ and custom training. Selection Chart posters were also provided and placed in the baggage rest areas.
Feedback
The consensus was that the new gloves from Globus delivered superior all-around performance. Along with providing excellent grip in both dry and wet conditions, the gloves also showed significant improvements in key areas such as dexterity, flexibility, comfort, and fit. They offered enhanced cut protection, as well as increased resistance to heat, cold, and liquids. Overall, they provided a level of hand protection far exceeding any gloves used previously.
Baggage handlers and loaders now rely on several models from Globus, including the lightweight Skytec Ohio and the Showa 330 for general tasks. For more heavy-duty applications, such as connecting tow bars from the front of aircraft to tugs (the vehicles that push the planes back), they use the thermal Showa 451.
One standout feature is the luminous yellow Showa 317, which is particularly beneficial for night shifts on the ramp, as the bright color makes it easier for workers to see their hands in low-light conditions, further enhancing safety.