Six baggage handling companies at Schiphol must immediately equip their luggage carriers with tools to make loading and unloading easier. That is what the Labor Inspectorate demands. Work in the baggage halls must be automated or mechanized within two years. If the handling companies do not implement the adjustments, they could be fined during future inspections at Schiphol.
Baggage and cargo companies at Schiphol let staff doing too much work, while the Labor Inspectorate had demanded that this should not happen after 2009. The Inspectorate itself also failed: after 2010, no more inspections were carried out at Schiphol.
Six handling companies must immediately ensure that staff who load and unload suitcases have access to lifting aids. These devices are already available at Schiphol, but are not used enough due to a lack of coordination and even bullying. The companies are supposed to share equipment, such as conveyor belts, but regularly interfere with each other, for example by hiding keys.
No driver’s license
In addition, it will be a challenge to move the lifting aids across the platform. Two weeks ago NH News announced that many employees do not have driver’s licenses and special vehicles that cannot get from A to B as an aid.
Fines and penalty payments
The Labor Inspectorate requires companies at Schiphol to automate or mechanize handling in the baggage basements within two years. In January, Schiphol announced that it would tackle the baggage basements in the coming years, but whether the deadline in 2025 will be met remains to be seen. The Labor Inspectorate threatens with fines and periodic penalty payments.
Diesel no longer allowed
The Labor Inspectorate also announced today that Schiphol must replace diesel appliances with sustainable alternatives, such as shore power to provide energy for parked aircraft. The inspectorate wants to get rid of exhaust gases that are carcinogenic. The total of eight handling companies at Schiphol have been given until the end of this year to take measures to protect apron personnel against diesel emissions.