WSVN — 7News has learned there is an investigation underway involving the health and safety of baggage handlers at Miami International Airport. Investigative reporter Carmel Cafiero is on the case.
Miami International is the tenth busiest airport in the nation. Nearly 41 million passengers flew through MIA last year.
Carmel Cafiero: “But behind the hustle and bustle of these terminals is an area of the airport the public does not see that has now caught the eye of federal safety inspectors.”
There are complaints about a portion of this 12-mile, $220 million baggage system. It went online in 2012 as part of a massive revamp of MIA’s north terminal and is supposed to make travelers’ lives easier. But is it also making employees’ lives miserable?
A worker sent us these pictures.
Baggage handler: “It’s an environment that’s very dirty, very filthy, and most of the time you have to be washing your face, that comes into your eyes. You feel it in your nose.”
This longtime American Airlines baggage handler who asked we not show his face says the overhead belt runs non-stop, 24/7, and gives off dust that blankets the baggage area in Concourse D.
Baggage handler: “It’s a situation where all this friction of the rubber, starts peeling the rubber. All the areas, the walls, the floor, the equipment, the computers, everything is full of that dust, including you when you get home.”
He says workers have complained to American Airlines and their union. When nothing was resolved, a complaint was filed with OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
After an on-site visit, OSHA issued this notice of alleged safety or health hazards.
It says OSHA is investigating American Airlines employees being exposed to high levels of noise and dust falling on them from the automated belt system.
Baggage handler: “It’s affecting the health of the employees there. My concern is me and my fellow workers; we are exposed to something that we don’t need to be exposed.”
An American Airlines spokesperson told 7News, employees in the baggage area must wear hearing protection, and their hearing is tested annually. And the baggage areas are cleaned several times a day, adding, “We encourage our team members to speak up and let their supervisor know if something is not right.”
Meanwhile, it could take OSHA up to six months before detailing its findings in the case.
Baggage handler: “I hope this doesn’t bring retaliation to me, but if it will, we come forward with this. This is the health of the employees.”
Carmel Cafiero, 7News.
IF YOU HAVE A STORY FOR CARMEL TO INVESTIGATE:
Miami-Dade: 305-627-CLUE
Broward: 954-921-CLUE
E-mail: clue@wsvn.com
You can also send a tweet to @carmelonthecase.