British Airways PLC has been fined following a vehicle collision at Terminal 5 of Heathrow Airport.
Southwark Crown Court heard that in March 2018, an employee was struck by a tug pulling a train of dollies, which are vehicles used to transport baggage around the airport. She was knocked under another passing tug with dollies loaded with luggage, sustaining serious crush injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the injured worker was using the centre of the roadway between the two lanes as a walking route, and this unsafe practice had been common in the baggage hall for at least ten years.
They also identified significant failings in the general management of health and safety and workplace transport risks, including issues relating to supervision and monitoring, risk assessment and training.
British Airways PLC pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, was fined £1.8 million and ordered to pay costs of £35, 724.
HSE inspector Megan Carr said: "The situation in the baggage hall at Heathrow Terminal 5 was an incident waiting to happen".
"British Airways failed to appreciate the serious nature of the risks to which its employees were exposed and as a result failed to take appropriate action to ensure they were properly protected".
