Birmingham Airport has been fined £100,000 after a boy, aged 6, became trapped in a baggage conveyor in September 2016.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 4th September 2016, found the airport management had removed a safety device and its replacement did not provide the same level of protection.
Airport pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety laws and was given the £100,000 fine at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard how the boy was trapped by machinery when he found his way into the mesh cage of the ‘out of gauge’ conveyor, which was used for delivering oversized baggage to the public baggage reclaim area. The conveyor started whilst he inside. He suffered a crush injury to his leg and had to remain in hospital for two nights for observation.
Health and Safety Inspector Geoffrey Brown, said: “This case will serve as a reminder that risk assessments and guarding of machinery requires regular review and monitoring especially where arrangements are altered or removed. Had the airport assessed the changes properly these injuries could have been avoided.”
Birmingham Airport has since implemented new health and safety procedures.
CEO of Birmingham Airport David Winstanley, said: “It is with sincere regret and sadness that this incident occurred and I wholeheartedly apologise for the distress caused to the injured person and his family.
We fully accept the penalty set by the Court and we will continue to offer any help and support required by the family.
The Airport is a company which aspires to excellence in its approach to health and safety and prided itself on its blemish free record. I am grateful for the HSE’s statement that as a business it takes health and safety in a serious manner with generally effective measures in place.”
