30 April 2004 - BAA Aims to Reduce Manual Handling Injuries to Baggage Handlers
BAA will be introducing restrictions to passengers travelling through Heathrow on checking in baggage that weighs no more than 32kg's from 1 June 2004. The aim is to reduce manual handling risk to employees. British Airways already enforce this baggage limit.
Christine Barringer, HSE commented:
"Manual handling injuries account for around 40% of total airport injuries reported to HSE. The majority of these are related to baggage handling activities, particularly airport staff handling heavy bags. HSE strongly supports the actions being taken by Heathrow Airport and we continue to work in partnership with the air industry to see if a further reduction in the maximum bag weight can be achieved. HSE and industry are encouraged by the 17% reduction in reported injuries among baggage handlers by Heathrow based, British Airways who started operating this maximum single bag limit 12 months ago. This demonstrates that real improvements can be made in this area for the benefit of both airport workers and industry."
