Airports across the UK taking part in health and safety week

Above: Luton Airport.
Courtesy LLA

All AirportsUK members will be organising events, including tours, quizzes, seminars, displays and a host of others, to illustrate the ways in which airports prioritise health and safety for passengers, staff and local communities.

Every year, Airports Health and Safety Week spotlights three key themes that AirportsUK members can build events and activities around and to demonstrate their cutting-edge approaches to wider health and safety issues. This year, we will be focusing on:

1. Occupational health (COSHH, vibration, noise, musculoskeletal disorders)
   How airports reduce occupational health risks associated with hazardous substances, noise, vibration and other workplace risks by reinforcing correct procedures, promoting use of technology, strengthening monitoring and reporting and enhancing cross-team understanding.
    
2. Mental Health, well-being and safety
   Supporting colleagues through strengthened awareness of stress related factors and fostering a positive safety culture through positive safety culture built on openness, accountability and continuous improvement.
    
3. Climate change and safety
   Strengthening preparedness for extreme weather and climate related conditions in outdoor operations through promoting safe working practices and enhancing awareness of environmental factors that affect safety and operational reliability.

Welcoming the start of Airports Health and Safety Week 2026, Emma Meenan, head of health & safety at London Luton Airport and co-chair of AirportsUK’s health and safety working group, said: “We are delighted to launch this year’s Airports Health and Safety Week at London Luton Airport.

“Across the aviation sector, understanding and awareness of the hugely important themes that this year’s Health & Safety Week will focus on continues to grow and this is the perfect platform to showcase the evolving procedures and technologies that airports use to support staff and help to maintain safety excellence.

“I am greatly looking forward to spearheading the events programme at London Luton Airport and to the opportunities the week will bring to share experiences and learn from each other.”

Also commenting on the week, Lee Alderson, Senior HSE Operations Manager at London Gatwick, and AirportsUK’s health and safety working group co-chair, said: “Learning from our peers is a core part of the role that AirportsUK and its health and safety working group plays, particularly through events such as the industry-leading health and safety week.

“Airports do not compromise on health and safety, ensuring it is the number one priority every day of our organisations’ operations and sharing best practice helps us all know what works and how we can improve.

“I am looking forward to seeing the range of events being organised on these topics and others, that demonstrate the importance that airports put on health and safety, and to champion them through AirportsUK’s cross-sector working.”

Commenting on the week, Victoria MacRae, AirportsUK’s head of regulations, operations and compliance, said: “Airports Health and Safety Week is a brilliant opportunity for members and all those involved in airport operations to showcase the amazing work they do, day-in, day-out, to provide the safest possible environment.

“Our members are often at the cutting edge of measures to keep passengers, staff and local communities safe, and which then are adopted by other sectors, so it is great the celebrate all they do.

“AirportsUK will be highlighting many of the events taking place over the week and the team will be out and about to see first-hand the range of activities that are undertaken.”

Safety sits at the heart of everything airports do and Health and Safety Week, which takes place annually, aims to emphasise this commitment and the work delivered every day. 

The week reinforces essential safety behaviours, regulatory compliance and a positive well-being culture through focused learning and engagement, helping to strengthen operational safety, improve efficiency and support a better passenger experience.

As in previous years, all airport teams are encouraged to take part, organising events, seminars, demonstrations and tours that platform the amazing work being done.

As well as staff, airports will also engage the wider airport community such as service providers, business partners, contractors and local residents to support and engage with activities throughout the week.

Following Airports Health and Safety Week, AirportsUK will also be welcoming entries to its Health and Safety Awards, due to be presented later on this year. Further details will be announced shortly and potential applicants are encouraged to keep an eye on the AirportsUK website on how to apply.