Stansted celebrates UK Airports Health & Safety Week

Image courtesy MAG

The national week, led by AirportsUK the trade body representing UK airports, has seen colleagues from all areas of the airport community, including airlines, ground handlers, emergency services and partners, working side by side to share learning, understand each other’s challenges and strengthen safety culture across the site.

Across the week, activities have included safety demonstrations, training sessions and health and wellbeing events, with drop in sessions hosted both landside and airside.

Highlights included a Construction Safety Day showing how major projects are delivered safely, apron and airside safety awareness sessions and a Business Resilience Day that brought together organisations such as Essex Police, Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, the East of England Ambulance Service and the British Red Cross to explore how different teams work together during incidents.

Alongside practical safety activity, the programme also included mental health support, CPR demonstrations, fire safety training and community activities such as organised walks and Pets as Therapy sessions.

Nick Millar, Operations Director at London Stansted, said: “Safety sits at the heart of everything we do at Stansted. UK Airports Health & Safety Week has been a great opportunity for the airport community, from airlines and ground service providers to air traffic control and emergency services, to come together, share knowledge and learn from each other. Seeing so many organisations working collaboratively this week has been hugely positive.”

Emile Macdonald Williams, Head of Health & Safety at London Stansted, said: “Health and safety isn’t just about what happens in the workplace. It’s also about supporting people to look after their own health and wellbeing. This week has been a great chance to bring teams together, raise awareness and remind everyone to look out for themselves and each other.”

As part of the week, Stansted also raised awareness of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men. The airport teamed up with prostate cancer survivor Errol McKellar MBE to encourage men over the age of 40 to get tested, with free testing kits and advice offered to colleagues.