Behind every smooth flight is a hidden high‑risk zone: manual baggage handling. Airport Safety Management Systems (SMS) can integrate automated solutions to transform baggage handling.  

This turns a weak spot into a controlled, low‑risk part of operations. The right baggage solution reduces injuries, boosts safety, and improves efficiency. 

 

Importance of Airport Safety Management System (SMS) for Material Handling 

A strong SMS is essential for managing risks in material handling tasks at airports. Material handling is not just an operational function. It’s an activity that is crucial for safety. 

In airports, workplace injuries and near-miss events often occur during material handling tasks, such as lifting baggage. These tasks also contribute to muscle and joint disorders, repetitive strain injuries, and operational delays.  

These issues can increase when staff work under tight deadlines. If the SMS does not fully analyze and address material handling, airports may miss a common source of workplace injuries.

Risk Assessment in Handling Baggage 

Within a SMS, a risk assessment is a core process used to evaluate hazards.  

Risk assessments for baggage handling typically examine: 

• Repetitive lifting of heavy loads 
• Awkward and constrained working postures 
• Limited space in aircraft cargo holds 
• High time pressure during turnaround operations 

These risks are usually identified through: 

• Hazard reporting systems 
• Incident and injury data 
• Safety audits and observations 

Airports that actively focus on managing safety risks use this information to make improvements. In many cases, these improvements focus on baggage operations. 

Challenges of Manually Handling Baggage 

Many airports still rely heavily on manual work when handling baggage. This can lead to physical fatigue and risk of injury.

Also, workflows become inconsistent. Tasks will be done differently based on a person’s abilities and style. This means performance varies from person to person.  

Key challenges include: 

• Physical fatigue over long shifts with repetitive lifting 
• Poor ergonomics 
• Increased risk of injuries 
• Inconsistent workflows 
• High dependency on individual performance 

These challenges affect how SMS performs in daily operations. Issues like fatigue, injuries, and inconsistent workflows can come up again and again.  

You don’t want your injury reports, safety trend data, and operational disruption logs to look the same every time. Make improvements that solve hazards. 

 

Promoting Safer Baggage Operations 

To strengthen a SMS, airports should transition from reactive safety measures to proactive solutions. Explore ways that baggage handling can be done without risking employee well-being or operation goals. 

Examples of proactive solutions: 

• Design workflow for consistent, predictable tasks 
• Use data to guide safety spending and process changes 
• Align all stakeholders (from management to frontline staff) on SMS processes and priorities 
• Add lifting equipment into the process 

By being proactive, airports can reduce long-term risks and support more sustainable operations. 

Evaluating Automation in SMS 

Lifting equipment improves safety because the machine handles the weight of the item.  

When integrated into a SMS, automation offers several important advantages: 

• Lower injury rates 
• Improved compliance with safety standards 
• Better data consistency and monitoring 
• Increased operational efficiency 
• Enhanced employee well‑being 

At the same time, some considerations must be managed carefully: 

• Initial investment costs 
• Make plan for training and implementation 
• Integration with the existing baggage process/system 

Despite these considerations, long-term safety and productivity strongly support using automation in SMS. 

 

 

How Automation Improves Safety & Efficiency 

Automation and semi-automation enables airports to take a more proactive and organized approach to manage safety risks. They reduce manual work, standardize workflows, and improve safety results. 

When well-integrated, automation becomes a key tool for a stronger, more resilient system. It helps airports manage current risks and future challenges over time. 

Vacuum Lifters in Action 

One practical way to improve safety is adding vacuum lifting systems. They help operators lift and move baggage without physical strain. 

Lifting automation supports SMS goals by: 

• Reducing manual lifting and physical strain 
• Improving consistency in repetitive tasks 
• Minimizing injury risks 
• Supporting safer working postures 

By reducing the amount of manual lifting, these systems lower physical strain. They make repetitive tasks more consistent and predictable.  

TAWI vacuum lifting solutions, including TAWI’s High Frequency Lifter, are already used by many airports to handle baggage.  They are designed to reduce strain, lower injury risk, and support safer working postures.  

Learn more about how TAWI helps with baggage handling. 

Case Insight: Stansted Airport 

At Stansted Airport, lifting solutions have improved safety and efficiency in baggage handling.  

Before, operators had to manually lift bags, which caused physical strain and injuries. Manual handling was one of their top three lost time injuries they had with staff every year, according to Steve Radford, Head of Baggage & Security Engineering at Stansted Airport. 

With TAWI’s ergonomic lifting solutions, the airport reduced the risk of injuries and improved consistency across shifts. 

This example shows how lifting solutions in baggage operations can support SMS goals. They also help create a safer, more efficient workplace.  

Read more about the Stansted case study. 

 

Conclusion 

An airport SMS is most effective when it fully addresses real risks. Material handling is one of the most significant risks. 

Organizations can reduce injuries by removing manual handling. Automation and ergonomic lifting solutions create safer processes and improve operational stability.  

This also supports a more sustainable workforce because employees can perform demanding tasks with less physical strain. 

Automation is not only about efficiency. It’s also a key tool for long-term safety, so it’s an important part of a SMS.  

Learn more about how lifting automation supports airport safety. Or contact us and we'll be happy to discuss your lifting situation.