WORKERS at Gatwick Airport have called for improved safety after the chaos caused by the recent terror alert.

The Transport and General Workers Union said at least one hour must be allowed to prepare planes for departure.

The union's new Gatwick Charter also called for a maximum weight of 23kg for each piece of luggage, containers to be used for stowing all hold baggage in planes and for carbon dioxide pollution to be reduced at the airport.

T&G general secretary Tony Woodley said the terror alert had highlighted the need for improved security and safety at airports.

"Security and airport safety go hand in hand, and the measures we are including in our charter will help make flying safer for passengers as well as protecting airport workers from unnecessary accidents," he said.

"It is no longer acceptable that the intense competition between companies operating at Gatwick can be allowed to drive down health and safety standards.

"A culture of corner-cutting is growing up, most obviously visible in the continuing reductions being sought in turnaround time for aircraft between landing and departure.

"Passengers are bemused by the rush to get them off planes so that another group of passengers can be rushed into their seats while they are still warm.

"It is obvious that this compromises safety and security, and it is time for our airports and airlines to call a halt to the practice."

"We believe that a one-hour turnaround time is sensible, and can be implemented by any company which has a genuine interest in passenger and employee safety."

Mr Woodley said aviation had the highest manual handling injury rates of any industry and this was because it was the only industry to still allow manual handling of weights over 25kg.

The new charter also calls for no more than 80 bags to be loaded onto each flat bed vehicle.

"Vehicles are routinely overloaded with baggage travelling from the aircraft to the arrivals' hall. This creates manual handling hazards during the loading of the vehicles with bags stacked above head height and insufficient space to stand on the vehicle," the charter states.

"It also means that bags regularly fall off in transit causing hazards to road users and inconvenience to passengers."

The union also called for the airport's owner, BAA, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using "green vehicles".

The new measures are being discussed with airport authorities and the Health and Safety Executive.