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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
Managers get 'back to basics' at London Luton airport
Businesses based at London Luton Airport were told 'Look after your worker's backs' during a special Better Backs Awareness Day held today (Wednesday, 14 March).
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Luton Borough Council and London Luton 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 from businesses at the airport and the surrounding area attended the day, including those from the airlines, ground handling teams, refuellers, caterers, maintenance teams and retail outlets. Following the official launch, the day started with some fun stretching exercises - with Luton Mayor Julian Wates joining in - before the serious business of leaning how to minimise the risk of back injury was addressed during a series of presentations and seminars.
Geoff Baker, HSE's Operations Manager, said:
"Every year, British businesses lose over 10 million working days as a result of injuries caused by poor manual handling techniques. This costs society about £2.7 billion and business about £300 million. People who have suffered a back injury may never recover completely and cannot return to work. The quality of their home life will also be affected, so that it may be impossible to pick up toddlers, carry shopping and move about freely - all things we take for granted.
"Most people already know that lifting or moving heavy objects can cause injuries. But moving small, lightweight objects can also injure, especially if you have to turn and twist as part of the movement. Loads as small as 5 Kg (11 lbs) can cause severe spinal injuries, if they are not moved safely."
Preventing injuries from manual handling is not difficult. The HSE's Better Backs campaign advises people to:
* Think about your working conditions and the way you do things
* Get involved - work with your manager to make changes
* Use the appropriate equipment correctly and report symptoms early
* Stay active
* Don't ignore early back pain symptoms
Further advice and information is free to download from the HSE website at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/campaigns/index.htm
Kath James, 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. Health and safety is a management responsibility and I am pleased that the campaign will start by reminding senior managers of their legal duties."
Frank Harrison, Principal Environmental Health Officer for Health & Safety of Luton Borough Council, said:
"This campaign has helped to show that poor handling techniques can be found in all types business, and the involvement of so many different organisations, from both sides of the enforcement fence, stresses the importance everyone gives this topic. 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. Doing away with manual handling by using mechanical aids instead is the best option, but this is not always possible. The HSE will also offer guidance and 'toolbox talks' on how to change practices to make things safer.
