A company who specialise in metal and alloy products has
been fined after a worker was killed when he was struck by a load on a moving
crane. Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard how an employee of ATI Speciality
Materials Limited, Sheffield, was assisting in the moving of a crucible from a
re-melt furnace.
The crucible had been lifted using an overhead crane and
moved approximately ten yards to where Mr Nigel Hall (aged 47) loosened the bolts
around the crucible. The crane operator waited for Mr Hall’s acknowledgment to
proceed and lifted the crucible a couple of feet higher before pressing the
southbound button.
The crane operator saw Mr Hall in the path of the
crucible and shouted a warning while stopping the movement of the crane. The
crane stopped but the load swung forward hitting Mr Hall on the right side of
the head. He was taken to Northern General hospital where he was pronounced
dead.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
into the incident, which occurred on 17 August 2011, at Atlas Works, Carlisle
Street East, Sheffield, found that the company had not reviewed risk
assessments and safe systems of work for nine years. Many employees who
operated cranes had received no refresher training for between 6-10 years and
the training programme for new starters was inadequate.
Speaking afterwards, Andrea, Nigel’s partner said: “The
aftermath of Nigel dying was a terrible terrible time and I try to put it out
of my mind but I can’t always, my biggest regret of it all is that the lovely
extended family unit that we had has been shattered, Nigel was the glue that
held everything together, and it proves that he was because it has all fallen
apart now that he has gone. But I’m not going to give up, I am going to live my
life because that is what he would have wanted me to do, when we were together
we were a match we just fitted together and he would be really angry if I
didn’t carry on.”
Wendy Hall, Nigel’s Mother said: “There is a big hole in
our family now, Nigel was always the life and heart of our family gatherings
and parties, we don’t have parties in the same way anymore because that heart
is missing.”
HSE Inspector Carol Downes said: “This loss of life could
have been entirely prevented. Employers have a duty to ensure safe systems of
work are continually reviewed when there are significant changes in the way
work is carried out. Working practices should be clear, safe and properly
communicated to employees.”
ATI Speciality Materials Limited, of Cyclops Works
President Way, Sheffield, was fined a total of £160,000, with costs of £72,321
after pleading guilty to offences under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety
at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety
at Work Regulations 2005.
Contact CRS for help with preparing risk assessments, and
training workers. See us on the web at www.crsrisk.com
or contact us for a no-obligation discussion on 01283 509175 or advice@crsrisk.com
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