A major airport services company has been fined £90,000 after a man was crushed to death at Heathrow Airport in 2008. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Aviance UK Ltd, which is based in Newcastle upon Tyne, for its role in the incident. They pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, at the City of London Magistrates' Court on 27 November 2009.
The Court heard that on 25 March 2008, Mohammed Taj, a vehicle maintenance specialist from Hayes, was repairing a defective vehicle used to pull baggage trolleys, also known as a baggage tug, which had broken down near Heathrow Airport Terminal 1. The vehicle was raised 60cm in the air on a single trolley jack as its only means of support. The worker was underneath the tug when the trolley jack moved backwards, dropping the tug onto him. He died at the scene shortly afterwards from head injuries.
The HSE investigation showed that the maintenance van supplied by Aviance UK routinely carried a trolley jack but never carried axle stands or other means of support which should be used. In addition, they did not have an adequate system for ensuring that the maintenance van returned to the workshop for axle stands, or that defective vehicles were recovered and proper vehicle hoists used.
HSE inspector Stephen Kirton said, "Mr Tajs death could have been avoided if axle stands were routinely carried in the company maintenance van and were used by staff. Mr Taj could be alive today if just £30 had been spent on a pair of axle stands. Working under poorly supported vehicles has been recognised as a serious problem for many years. We have recently published guidance in this area which clearly states that people should never work below vehicles supported only by jacks. This should be read by all managers in the motor vehicle repair industry."
