The Health & Safety Executive Luton Borough Council and the airport teamed-up to hold the event, which aimed to raise the profile of one of the country’s biggest causes of workplace injuries – back ache, muscle spasms and other injuries caused by poor lifting and handling techniques.
More than 50 senior managers, including those from the airlines, ground handling teams, refuellers, caterers, maintenance teams and retail outlets attended. Luton Mayor Julian Wates joined in some stretching exercises before the serious business of learning how to minimise the risk of back injury was addressed during a series of presentations and seminars.
Kath James (pictured), managing director of London Luton Airport, said: “This campaign is important for everyone at the airport. I hope it will help all businesses prevent their employees from suffering back injuries.”
Frank Harrison, Luton Borough Council’s principal environmental health officer for health and safety, added: “We take our bodies too much for granted. Even when we know bad manual handling practices cause us harm, we still continue to use them. If this innovative partnership can remind us to think before we act, we will have achieved our objectives.”
During the second phase of the campaign, airport staff will work with Luton Borough Council and the HSE to identify bad practice and consider how improvements can be made.
