Case study: Reducing risks without compromising safety and security standards

Risk of lower back pain caused by repeated bending during security checks at metal detectors activated by staff-issue steel capped boots
Designing new non-metallic footwear eliminated metal detector activation, removing the need for repeated bending

BAA security staff are at risk of suffering back pain due to repeated bending during body checks caused by the unnecessary activation of metal detectors by airport workers and contractors. Body checks are a necessary part of security procedures when metal detectors are activated.

Staff working airside are required to wear foot protection, and until recently employers had provided steel toe-capped boots for safety reasons. However, a new design of non-metallic safety footwear would significantly reduce the number of metal detector activations and the associated risk of back pain.

Working with suppliers, BAA designed custom-made non-metallic safety footwear. Trials at airports produced uniformly positive feedback from users, in addition to the benefits of reduced accidental metal detector activations.

The use of non-metallic footwear was then mandated for all airport staff and contractors.

Although initial costs were higher than for metallic safety footwear, as orders increase BAA expects the costs to lower. BAA noted that ‘the small additional cost is offset by significant benefits in terms of reduced injuries and enhanced security.’

BAA is also able to use its buying power to bulk order and so reduce costs for smaller contractors, working with its partners and contractors to ensure the effort to reduce risks is spread to the widest possible audience.