Airport services firm fined £90k
January 27th 18:00 Health and Safety
The attention firms should pay to health and safety legislation has been highlighted after an airport service company was fined £90,000 for its role in an accident which led to a man being crushed to death.
Aviance UK was handed the fine and ordered to pay £18,800 in costs at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at work Act.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the firm following its role in the death of 52-year-old Mohammed Taj.
Mr Taj was crushed to death by a vehicle he was working on at Heathrow airport after the defective airport trolley carrier was raised 60cm high using just a single trolley jack.
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.
"Mr Taj could be alive today if just £30 had been spent on a pair of axle stands."
Newcastle-based Aviance UK was prosecuted for breaching Section 2(1) of the 1974 act.
