Overview
ISO 12604-2:2024 - Aircraft ground handling - Checked baggage - Part 2: Handling requirements and guidelines - sets out requirements and recommendations for the manual handling of checked baggage throughout airport processing chains. The standard focuses on sorting, safety screening and routing activities at departure, arrival and out-of-circuit workstations (e.g., spout down, pier, carousel, security inspection, manual indexing, drop areas). It excludes passenger check-in processes and aircraft loading systems, and is primarily applicable to standard pieces of baggage (processing of baggage under 23 kg).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Risk-based manual handling assessment: A three-step evaluation based on ISO 11228-1 covering handling frequency/anticipation, maximum acceptable load (MAL), and acceptable cumulative mass (ACM) including walking distance.
- Frequency limits and handling cadence: Recommended upper limits for lifts per minute tied to baggage mass (examples in the standard include limits such as up to 10 lifts/min for intensive tasks, with lower rates for heavier items - e.g., ~2/min for 17 kg and ~1/5 min for 21 kg).
- Baggage classification: Definitions and treatments for standard baggage, baggage with specific characteristics, and baggage requiring demanding handling (oversize, missing grips, fragile).
- Manual handling controls: Requirements for workstation characteristics, mitigation measures (mechanical assistance, team lifts for >23 kg), and operational practices to limit multiple handlings (e.g., conveyor reintroduction, integrated security equipment).
- Operator and handling-company responsibilities: Obligations for evaluating handling conditions, implementing affirmative actions, and complying with local health & safety legislation.
- Support for automation: Guidance and an informative annex with examples to make pieces of baggage compatible with automated transfer and sorting systems.
Applications and practical value
- Improves baggage handling safety and reduces musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among handling agents.
- Guides development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), workplace risk assessments, and staff training for airport ground operations.
- Informs ergonomic design of manual workstations and selection or integration of mechanical assistance and automation to minimize manual lifts.
- Useful for optimizing throughput and reducing re-handling, rejects, and delays in baggage flows.
Who should use this standard
- Airlines, ground handling companies and airport operators
- Health & safety managers, ergonomists and operational planners
- Equipment manufacturers and system integrators designing conveyors, tugs and workstation layouts
- Regulators and auditors evaluating compliance with airport baggage handling safety standards
Related standards
- ISO 12604-1: Baggage mass and dimension requirements
- ISO 12604-3: Workstation ergonomics for checked baggage
- ISO 11228-1: Ergonomics - Manual handling (lifting, lowering, carrying)
Keywords: ISO 12604-2:2024, aircraft ground handling, checked baggage handling, baggage handling requirements, manual handling ergonomics, airport ground operations, baggage safety.