Heathrow baggage handlers fined £160,000 over worker's death

A company that employed a man who was crushed to death at Heathrow Airport has been fined £160,000, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.

Dnata Limited, which provides ground-handling and cargo services to major airlines, admitted breaching safe lifting and work equipment regulations.

The victim's family described him as "the rock of our whole family".

UK workplace safety regulator the HSE said Dnata had "failed to ensure that work... could be carried out safely".

Dnata, based in Colnbrook, Berkshire, pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The man, who has not been named, was killed after a scissor lift carrying containers collapsed on 23 February 2022 at Terminal 3.

The victim's wife said that "the future plans I had with my husband are ruined". She said: "I face the rest of my life without my best friend and companion."

His children said in a statement: "He was such a happy, positive, funny, loving, supportive dad.

"He had an infectious personality and was loved by many in his community. His presence is greatly missed at family gatherings and events. They are no longer the same. He was a legend."

HSE inspector Gordon Carson said: "Although Dnata had identified a risk of employees being crushed by the platforms of high-loaders, the measures it had put in place before this incident occurred failed to ensure that work in close proximity to these machines could be carried out safely."

Dnata issued a statement to say they "deeply regret the tragic incident resulting in the loss of one of our valued employees while on duty".

A spokesperson added: "Our company acknowledged its role in the incident at the earliest opportunity.

"We are seeking to change the recognised international ground handling safety standards to incorporate our learnings to ensure that a similar incident does not happen again."

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