Interview with Simon Toseland - Head of Health, Safety and Fire at BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT LIMITED on the biggest challenges at the moment and how BIA is approaching scenario planning during the pandemic.

 

• What are your biggest challenges at the moment?

The Airport consists of many different third parties such as contractors, concessions, tenants, baggage handlers and other airlines. Not forgetting all of the other airports which operate internationally. The key challenge is making sure that where possible we are aligned and implementing consistent approaches.  The industry has well-established forums in place to facilitate the learning and sharing of new initiatives and innovations, it is of course in the interest of everyone to provide the best and safest passenger experience possible.

 

• Are there any learnings from past challenges that you think translate to the current situation or is it all new ground?

The Aviation industry has a history of examples of where we have had to respond following significant events, such as 9/11 and the banning of liquids over 100ml in hand luggage. As the nature of COVID-19 is a new threat, the framework for dealing and responding to an event exists within our system for emergency planning and readiness which can be transferred to any significant event such as this.

 

• How is BIA approaching scenario planning during the pandemic?

Early on in the pandemic, the situation was very fast moving and dynamic, and we had to put measures, such as rostering and safety, in place very quickly. Throughout, we have risk assessed all aspects of the customer journey and employee welfare and we are continuing this approach as we plan for the restart phase.
 

• What are the positives of this situation – has it allowed you to focus on other aspects?

As mentioned, the Airport has thoroughly risk assessed each element of our operation and passenger journey.  The opportunity from this situation is innovation across all of our practices including home working, mental health, IT, hygiene, distancing and physical barriers, energy efficiency and safe travel. As a result of this pandemic, airports will be hygienically and environmentally cleaner and safer than ever before. There has been a very strong ethos of teamwork internally and with partner organisations on site. We are all working to one goal, to get the airport serving customers again in a safe environment.

 

• Is this an opportunity for H&S to be afforded the respect and importance it deserves?

Driven by our Safety Culture Excellence programme Health and Safety has always been given the very highest regard here at Birmingham Airport. What this pandemic will do is highlight the importance of Human Factors in safety as we all learn to adapt to the new world. The importance of having a robust health and safety management system supported with a strong Servant style of Leadership that facilitates open engagement – in my view - is crucial in order to respond effectively across a complex organisation such as an airport.

 

• Are there / what are the organizational changes you have faced & the prioritising of these? What will you keep in place & what has been learnt?

As with most organisations we have learnt to become more resourceful in respect to agile and remote working. The people and business benefits of improved wellbeing and sense of autonomy coupled with reduced operating costs and emissions and better space management are all positive learnings.The challenges from a Health and Safety perspective is ensuring the right information and support is available for our remote workers.In this regard having strong inter relationships with other departments, IT, HR and procurement for example has been critical.

 

• Please tell us about any initiatives that you are especially proud of?

Last year we developed a near-miss for reporting tool, linked to an employee Community App so it could be accessed by all users including contractors, concessions, airlines and baggage handlers etc. It proved to be incredible successful which saw a 510% increase in the number of reports received.

We also implemented a very successful targeted initiative in respect to passenger safety around lifts and escalators.

The learnings from these safety objectives was the importance of engagement with colleagues and third parties – these learning have been vital in dealing with the mitigations required for COVID-19.

We are delighted that this work has been recognised with being short listed as finalist in this year’s Health and Safety Excellence awards.

 

• Finally how do you keep positive & motivated?!

A real lesson I have learnt is to focus on the things that are within my control. Self-reflection is really important and something that I actually plan to do. It enables me to segregate myself from becoming emotionally entangled about things that I have no influence over. 

I am generally a very positive anyway and to see change and progress – even with small improvements keeps me motivated.