British Airways has been fined after an employee had a crush accident at work involving a vehicle at Heathrow Airport. The employee was struck by a tug pulling a train of vehicles used to transport baggage around the airport. She was knocked under another passing tug that was pulling vehicles that were loaded with luggage. She sustained 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 commonplace in the baggage hall for at least ten years. The investigation 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 pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company had to pay a fine of £1.8 million and costs of £35,724.
A HSE inspector said after the hearing: “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.”
Crush Accidents at Work
Crush injuries can happen in any environment, however, the most common are crush accidents at work. The causes of these can be machinery, vehicles, falling objects and more. The cause of the crush accident at Heathrow Airport was a work vehicle.
Employers must design safe working processes so vehicles can move safely around the workplace. Employees also need training on how to use these vehicles safely. If you suffer a crush accident at work due to a vehicle accident, you may be able to make a crush injury compensation claim.
Crush injuries can be serious, and can cause:
- Nerve damage
- Excessive bleeding
- Amputation
- Cuts and broken bones
- Severe bruising and soft tissue damage
- Paralysis
- Death
Your Employers Responsibility
It is your employer’s responsibility to ensure you are safe at work. This means that they must follow correct health and safety guidelines to minimise the risk of accidents and to keep all their employees safe. They must carry out adequate and frequent risk assessments on the machinery and equipment. They must also make sure that staff training is always up to date.
If your employer does not follow the correct health and safety guidelines, such as the Health and Safety at work regulations, and you have an accident whilst at work, then you may be able to make a claim. All employers must have Employer’s Liability insurance. This covers the business in case accidents at work happen. If you have had an accident and make a claim, then it is the insurance that pays the compensation.
How We Can Help
Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes crush accidents at work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.