Concrete Company Fined for Accident at Work
A concrete company in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, has been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker suffered serious head injuries.
Incident
On the day of the incident, 23 December 2014, an employee of Stanton Bonna Concrete Limited was preparing to clean a concrete mixer. In order to carry out this task, workers would lie inside the mixer to clean the discharge chute door. The lid would be hoisted open and a steel prop then put in place to keep this open.
As the employee in question was lying inside the mixer, the wire rope used to hoist open the lid snapped, causing the lid to crush the worker’s head between the lid and the mixer itself.
The worker suffered a broken jaw during the incident, requiring metal screws to be inserted into his mouth to keep his jaw in position.
HSE Investigation
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was found that there was an inadequate risk assessment in place. Furthermore, inspectors found that the hoist and wire rope used had not been inspected or maintained.
Sentencing
After pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Stanton Bonna Concrete Limited, of Littlewell Lane, Stanton by Dale, Ilkeston, was fined £270,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £24,248.10.
HSE inspector Lindsay Bentley said:
“This incident was entirely preventable, had had Stanton Bonna Ltd fully assessed the risks associated with the task and maintained the wire rope. Furthermore, following the incident an alternative method of cleaning the mixer, which didn’t involve employees getting into it was adopted.”
Injury at Work – Expert Advice
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Source: Health & Safety Executive
