Whether you are traveling through the airport on business or for pleasure, the last thing you are thinking of is safety. Sure, you wonder if your bags are going to be at your destination and your focusing on getting to the gate in plenty of time, but are you thinking about the hazards at the airport that could ruin your day? I would like to share a couple of true stories that happened to two different airport employees.



A screener in checked baggage worked with a high-powered x-ray machine, much bigger than those you see in checkpoint. While the x-ray machine was running, she leaned over the belt to get a better view of an obstruction and was sucked into the x-ray machine with her legs dangling out. The x-ray operator reacted quickly and hit the emergency stop button and called for medical assistance. She survived the accident with only a minor concussion and was issued a clean bill of health.

An x-ray machine has a belt on each end, one to load and one to off load. A screener was standing at checkpoint near the off load belt, taking bags off. The screener's glove got caught, and his hand was pulled underneath the belt. The x-ray belt was stopped immediately, and the screener's hand suffered only minor cuts and bruising.

In both cases the screeners did not exercise safety. They weren't focused and consciously didn't consider the consequences. They could have been seriously hurt or maimed. This could happen to you or your children.

The moving parts on an x-ray machine are very dangerous. Exercise caution and keep your loose clothes and body parts away from the x-ray machine's moving parts such as the belt and rollers. Also, never stick your hand in the x-ray machine to retrieve an item. Let it go through and pick it up on the other side. You do not want to be exposed to radiation. Always be aware and report any potential hazard you come across during your travels.

Don't wait by the belt to put on your shoes. This creates a backup, with everyone hovering around in one area. If you leave your bin on the x-ray belt, you will cause several bins to crash, and items will fly out spilling onto the floor. I have seen a bin fly up and hit another passenger. Safety is the main reason the screeners will ask you to move down the table if you don't initiate this action on your own. Don't get testy, and don't snatch your bag or bin out of the screener's hand. He or she is preventing possible injuries and keeping the line moving. Also, the screener may decide by your attitude that you're hiding something and select you for additional screening. Everyone needs to cooperate to make the process a smooth one.

Just remember, if you use a bin at the divesting table, be prepared to pick up your bin afterward and move down. Let a screener help you and thank them.

TIPS

1. Allow the screener to off load your items.

2. Keep children's hands off of the metal rollers(rollers help push the bags forward).

3. Keep your and your children's hands away from all moving parts of any machine.

4. Pick up your bin to avoid the crashing of bins and potential injury.

5. Report any hazards you become aware of.

6. Report any objects in the public's path that would cause injury.

7. Report any strange odors or water/liquid spillage.

8. Report uncovered cords on the floor.