HSE Warns About Repeated Lifting Of Heavy Objects

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned airport baggage companies to ensure the health and safety of their employees. HSE is reminding companies of the need to use the correct equipment and ensure appropriate procedures are followed.

The warning follows the prosecution yesterday of Menzies Aviation (UK) Ltd, a ground handling service company at Manchester Airport. They pleaded guilty to beaching Section 2(1) and Section 33(1)(9g), failing to comply with and improvement notice, of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Trafford Magistrates Court and were fined a total of £7,000 and £4,000 respectively for each charge and ordered to pay £10,986 costs.

HSE Inspector Christina Roberts said: "Back injury and other muscular skeletal disorder injuries are the most common occupational illness in Great Britain. The air transport industry, working with HSE, has set itself an ambitious target of a 50 per cent reduction in the number of reported cases by 2010. Targets have also been set for a reduction in falls from heights and workplace transport accidents.

“HSE is working closely with the industry to develop good practice and systems of work to reduce injuries and ill health. Good health and safety is good business, and this will also reduce the financial and personal costs associated with back and other injuries.

"An aggravating feature of this case is that many of the unsafe practices referred to in the charges had been brought to the attention of the company previously, but insufficient action was taken to remedy the concerns. I had also served an Improvement Notice – this is an important enforcement tool and companies must ensure they fully comply with them, otherwise they will know to face prosecution. These facts paint a poor picture in respect of the defendant company’s management of health and safety at Manchester Airport.

"There has since been a positive change in the company’s attitude, an acknowledgement of their past failings and a real commitment to improve health and safety at Manchester Airport.”

Following an inspection in 2005 an improvement notice was issued following concerns about the how the company loaded and unloaded luggage. A timetable for the introduction of conveyor belts was agreed between Menzies Aviation and the HSE, but when further checks were carried out after the agreed date it was discovered that conveyor belts were not used on all occasions.

The second charge relates to concern about the health, safety and welfare of employees during a series of visits to the company in July and August 2006. The concerns related to the manual handling of aircraft steps, the movement of baggage carts to and from aircraft and the danger of falling from height for baggage handlers working in the holds of aircraft.

Source: HSE news release

Designed, Hosted and Maintained by Union Safety Services