Health and safety

The heath, safety and security of the 150 million customers who use our airports each year, our 14,000 employees, our contractors and business partners is extremely important.

Nearly half of our employees work in security. Searching passengers and hand luggage is the most visible form of security at our airports but our employees are involved in many other aspects of security behind the scenes. We have invested to improve security and minimise disruption for passengers.

Running an airport brings with it some hazards – from slips and trips in public areas to the complex procedures involved in moving aircraft or fuel. BAA is also a major developer and this brings additional risks. To ensure high health and safety standards in all parts of our business we must have diligent design and planning, rigorous management training and awareness, and an open culture.

Our core aim is to have not one serious injury. We also want to reduce the number of less serious injuries and cut down on fires and false alarms. The four key ways we're doing this are to: 

• Identify and evaluate key health and safety risks across our businesses
• Implement formal management systems, a safety conscious culture and safety programmes throughout BAA
• Evaluate the effectiveness of policies, standards and systems to ensure they are effective
• Improve the safety awareness and effectiveness of safety teams, management and staff.

For more information please see the operating our airports safely and securely section of our corporate responsibility report.