How do health and safety programs protect airport workers?

• A. Increase overtime to boost productivity.
• B. Replace all staff with automation.
• C. Provide training, PPE, hazard controls, and reporting; reduce injuries and ensure legal compliance.
• D. Focus solely on customer service metrics.

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how a health and safety program actively reduces risk for airport workers by combining training, protective equipment, hazard controls, and a system for reporting and learning from incidents. Training equips workers with knowledge of safe procedures, proper use of equipment, and awareness of hazards they’ll encounter, so they can work in ways that minimize harm. PPE provides the personal protection needed when hazards can’t be eliminated completely, such as helmets, hearing protection, gloves, or high-visibility gear. Hazard controls—like engineering improvements (ventilation, guards) and administrative measures (lockout/tagout, safe work routines)—lower the chance of exposure to risks. A reporting system for injuries and near-misses creates feedback that drives investigations and corrective actions, helping prevent repeats and ensuring compliance with safety laws and standards. Together, these elements aim to cut injuries, injuries’ severity, and regulatory liability, while keeping operations compliant.

Options that focus on increasing overtime, replacing staff with automation, or emphasizing customer service metrics do not address worker protection or legal requirements and can even introduce new risks or neglect safety priorities.