A vehicle body manufacturing company in Stoke on Trent has been fined
after two workers were seriously injured when they were crushed between
a moving vehicle and stationary vehicles.
North Staffordshire
Magistrates’ Court heard that a colleague of the two men was attempting
to manoeuvre an 18 tonne vehicle in the work shop of Commercial Body
Specialists Limited on 12 January 2015 when two employees were pinned
and crushed between the manoeuvring vehicle and two other stationary
vehicles. One other employee jumped out of the way.
One worker
suffered several fractures to his pelvis and ribs as well as internal
bladder and kidney lacerations. The other worker suffered crush injuries
to his legs.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) into the incident found that the company had failed to identify
and assess workplace transport risks and had failed to put in place
protective measures, safe systems of work and proper instruction and
training to ensure employee pedestrian safety during vehicle movement.
Commercial
Body Specialists Limited, of High Street, Tunstall, Stoke on Trent,
pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work
etc Act 1974, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,461.
NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health & Safety
Wednesday 25 May 2016
Monday 16 May 2016
Company fined after worker is fatally crushed in trench
A company has been fined £2.6 million after an employee was
killed when the trench he was working in collapsed on him in Lancashire.
James Sim, a 32-year-old worker, from Barry, South Wales, a
sub-contractor working on behalf of Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited.
On the 14 April 2010, Mr Sim was working in a trench, laying ducting for new
cable for an offshore windfarm that was being built off the coast by Heysham,
Lancashire. The trench was dug to a depth of 2.4 metres, without any shoring.
Mr Sim was killed when he became trapped in the trench after it collapsed on
him.
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited pleaded guilty at
Preston Crown Court today after an investigation by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE).
The Court heard that Balfour Beatty failed to adequately risk
assess the works or control the way in which the excavation took place.
HSE inspector Chris Hatton said after the hearing: “The level of
this fine should serve as a warning to industry not to ignore health and safety
matters.
“Balfour Beatty failed to adequately assess, plan and supervise
the work being undertaken. Trench collapses are easy to prevent, and it is
disappointing that James’ life was lost in such a tragic way.
“The family has shown great patience and support throughout this
investigation which is a credit to both them and James’ memory.”
Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited, of Park Square Newton,
Chambers Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield pleaded guilty of breaching Section 3(1)
of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Regulation 31(1) of the
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of
the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was fined
£2.6million with £54,000 costs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)