Commercial Fixed Wing
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Company Policy; Procedure
During the huddle prior to the arrival of flight I learned that the only two qualified cargo loader operators were myself (also the lead) and a new hire who has been with the company [a few] months. Before that he worked for about a year doing mainline flights for [another company]. He stated that while he was signed off as loader qualified; he did not consider himself highly competent. This is not unusual; since it often takes new operators many months to master the efficient operation of a cargo loader. I instructed him to unload the front of the aircraft since it was entirely large pallets; which do not require as much finesse to manipulate.After parking the aircraft I unloaded the cans in the rear; and went to the front to assist. When I arrived I found that some of the freight had been moved; but none of it had been successfully unloaded. The handrail was down; and in places covered with blood. Obviously; I instructed [the new employee] to go into the break room; and I called the supervisor immediately on the radio. I avoided extensive descriptions at that time; because sometimes there are passengers within earshot of the radio.From what I was able to learn from the my co-workers who observed the events; [the new employee] severely pinched his hand while attempting to position the hand rail. (The rails on many of our cargo loaders are different from one another; and many have their own unique quirks.) Afterward he spent several minutes attempting to rectify the situation and do as much as he could.[Our company] at present does not have an organized training program for the cargo loader. Being signed off is apparently a matter of demonstrating basic understanding to the trainer. I do not know if the trainers have a standard protocol for determining loader operator qualifications.
Cargo loader operator reported a new operator was injured during unloading operations. Reporter stated inadequate training was a factor in the injury.