INJURIES TO AIRPORT BAGGAGE HANDLERS

That this House recognises that airport baggage handlers frequently experience serious back and other injuries owing to the excessive weight and repetitive handling of the baggage they routinely handle; further recognises that on average each bag is handled 10 times from check-in to collection, often in cramped conditions with each worker handling an average of nine tonnes per working shift; agrees with the Health and Safety Executive and the International Air Transport Association that a reduction in the maximum weight of checked-in luggage from 32 kilos to 23 kilos per item would have a positive effect on reducing the risk to workers; congratulates Unite the union on its Lighten Up campaign, which aims to protect the health of baggage-handlers as well as reduce the carbon footprint of aviation; and calls on the Health and Safety Executive to regulate on this matter to ensure a uniform standard across the UK aviation sector and Government to use its influence wherever possible to ensure that this action is taken.