Airport worker in court over safety claim

THE trial began yesterday of an airport employee being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Authority arising out of an incident where a co-worker suffered fractures to both ankles when mobile stairs were moved as he exited the plane.

The HSA brought the prosecution against John O’Donovan of Ballyhandle, Upton, Innishannon, Co Cork, on a charge under health and safety legislation.

O’Donovan is charged that on August 11, 2006, at the new terminal in Cork Airport he failed to take reasonable care to protect the safety of a person who might be affected by his actions when removing steps from outside an aircraft. In particular, the charge states he failed to protect the health and safety of Michael O’Connell.

Alice Fawsett, for the HSA said the defendant was in charge of the vehicle which forms a set of steps from the door of an aeroplane.

“He is not to move the steps until the aeroplane door is closed. He saw the man who closed the door coming down the steps but he did not see him going back again,” she said.

She said John O’Donovan moved the steps while the last member of staff to leave the aircraft, Michael O’Connell, had one foot on the airplane and one foot on the steps, as a result of which he fell and suffered fractures in and around both ankles.

Judge David Riordan only heard evidence from one witness, Inspector Helen Hourihan of the HSA and the case had be to adjourned for several more witnesses on the prosecution and defence side to be heard on May 20 and the following date.

Ms Fawsett suggested to Insp Hourihan, “The common detail between all the memos [circulated to staff] about the removal of steps is the emphasis on the fact the steps could not be withdrawn until the doors are checked.

Insp Hourihan replied, “Yes, it is in large letters, Check the door is closed before removing the steps.”

Dermot Sheehan, for the defence, suggested there was a particular burden on staff at the time of the accident because it was very shortly after the move from the old airport to the new terminal buildings. He said staff were starting work at 5am rather than 5.30am because of the burden or work. He said the defendant actually started work at 5.30am on the day of the accident.

Mr Sheehan said there were difficulties that day with a delayed flight and other matters and additional staff might have been needed. Insp Hourihan said it was not brought to her attention that it was especially busy that day and it did not appear so from CCTV footage of the accident.