Worker crushed to death under a baggage tug after the trolley jack supporting it moved - 4th February 2010

An airport services company has been ordered to pay over £100,000 after a man was crushed to death in an accident at work at Heathrow Airport.

Aviance UK Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £90,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,800 at the Old Bailey.

It follows the death of Mohammed Taj, a vehicle maintenance specialist in March 2008.

He was repairing a baggage tug, a vehicle used to pull baggage trolleys, which had broken down near terminal 1.

The vehicle was raised 60cm off the ground on a single trolley jack and Mr Taj was working underneath it when the jack moved backwards and the tug fell on him.

He was pronounced dead at the scene from the head injuries at work he had sustained.

An HSE investigation into the accident found that the company’s maintenance van carried a trolley-jack but not axle stands or other means of support.

HSE Inspector Stephen Kirton said: “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. Working under poorly supported vehicles has been recognised by HSE as serious problem for many years. 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."

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