Hemel Hempstead Firm Fined £1million for Fatality
A manufacturing company has been fined £1million by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an incident in which a worker was fatally crushed by machinery in an accident at work.
Fatal Incident
An employee of Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd, Colin Reddish, was involved in moving a large CNC milling machine on 30th April 2015 when the machine overturned and killed him. The 48 year old worker was working alone when the incident occurred.
HSE Investigation
During an investigation by HSE inspectors, it was found that the work being carried out by Mr Reddish had not been planned properly and that an unsafe system of work was in place at the time of the incident.
Sentencing
After pleading guilty to breaching Reg 3(1) of Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety of Work etc Act 1974, Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire was fined £1million.
The company was also ordered to pay costs of £6,311 and a victim surcharge of £120.
Speaking after the incident, HSE Inspector Martin Giles said:
“Colin Reddish’s death was entirely preventable. Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd had already tried unsuccessfully to lift the machine using a fork lift truck but instead of learning from this failure they carried on. Their ad hoc approach to managing dangerous tasks resulted in one of their workers losing his life.
“All companies can learn from this incident and make sure they have properly risk assessed the situation before they start and that they have trained staff with the right type of experience to carry out the task in hand safely. Taking an extra few minutes to properly think through a problem could save a worker’s life.”
Accident at work – expert advice
Accident at work compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that was not your fault. Your accident at work compensation claim could also include any instance of illness linked to your past or present working conditions.
To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation.
Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .
Source: Health & Safety Executive
