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LAX a Model in Reducing TSA Injury Rates

News & Happenings

July 27, 2007

In the years since TSA's creation, a major issue has been the number of injuries sustained by the workforce nationwide. When workplace injuries were identified as a significant challenge, officials at each of the 450 airports quickly began addressing the problem - and the results at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have been a model for the agency.

According to Mariano P. Barreiro, the LAX assistant federal security director-operations:

• The traumatic injury frequency rate has reduced from a high of 15.7 injuries per pay period in fiscal 2006 to 3.4 per pay period in fiscal 2007 to date.
• In 2007 chargeback costs (the amount the agency must pay the Department of Labor for workers compensation claims) were reduced from a high of $869,128 in the first quarter of 2007 (October-December 2006) to $551,664 in the third quarter (April-June) of 2007.

"LAX should be applauded and recognized for their tremendous efforts and modeled as the example and benchmark for airports across the country," said Mario A. Gallardo, TSA Western Area regional manager for Workers' Compensation Programs. "LAX should be used as a best practice. If they can do it with 2,000 employees, any airport in the country can definitely improve their injury rates and chargeback costs and enhance safety"

Barreiro attributed the reduction in injuries to an agency-wide commitment to tackling safety issues and reducing injuries. "The results of our assault is a better informed and safety-conscious workforce," he said. "In the end, we have reduced accidents and injuries and increased employee morale throughout the workforce and in each terminal."