Company fined £90,000 after man dies at Heathrow airport02 February 2010

Airport services firm Aviance UK has been fined £90,000 with £18,800 costs, after a technician was crushed to death under a vehicle at Heathrow Airport in 2008.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. The court heard that on 25 March 2008, Mohammed Taj, 52, a vehicle technician, was repairing a defective baggage tug, which had broken down near Heathrow Airport's Terminal 1.

The vehicle had been raised 60cm on a single trolley jack, which then moved backwards, dropping the tug onto Taj, who died at the scene from head injuries.

HSE investigations showed that the maintenance van supplied by Aviance UK routinely carried a trolley-jack but never any axle stands or other means of support.

HSE inspector, Stephen Kirton says: "Mr Taj's tragic 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."

He also says that HSE has for years been pointing out that working under poorly supported vehicles is a serious problem.

"We've 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."

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Aviance

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