manual handling: the HSE is watching!

A warning by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) targets airport baggage handling companies' health and safety regulations, after a recent prosecution of Menzies Aviation (UK) Ltd.

Menzies Aviation operates from Manchester airport, and was judged to be risking employees' health, with issues raised around manual handling of steps and baggage, as well as a danger of falling from height from the aircraft themselves. They were issued with an improvement notice in May 2005 to provide conveyors to assist with loading for their staff but after a subsequent appeal was turned down Menzies agreed to introduce them into their system. However, subsequent checks discovered that they were not being used for all appropriate jobs. This led to further health and safety concerns and Menzies were fined a total of £11,000 (plus £10,986 in costs) under two separate sections of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974.

What is very clear is that any business of any size is subject to health and safety regulations, and the HSE will follow up breaches.

Whatever your businesses size, reputation or nature, these issues affect you. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish to discuss these or any other health and safety matters.

For more information, contact John Mitchell, a partner in Blake Lapthorn's Health and Safety team on 023 8085 7231; email john.mitchell@bllaw.co.uk.