Firm Fined after Worker is Injured in Fall from Height

A Lancashire based company, responsible for the manufacture of coated metals, has been fined following an incident in which a worker fell three meters from a ladder, sustaining multiple fractures.

Incident

Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard that an employee of Manchester Galvanizing Ltd was carrying out work when a metal post came loose from the jig of an overhead crane and fell into a drying pit.

In an attempt to retrieve the metal post, the employee used a wooden ladder. However, the ladder broke and the worker fell three meters to the bottom of the drying pit. He suffered a fractured foot and shoulder.

HSE Investigation & Fines

During an investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive, it was found that the firm had ‘failed to ensure that work at height was properly planned, supervised or carried out in a safe manner’.

After pleading guilty to a breach of Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Manchester Galvanizing Ltd, of Green Lane, Heywood, Lancashire, was fined a total of £6,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £1,248.

HSE Inspector Emily Osborne said after the hearing:

“The employee in this case was lucky that he wasn’t more seriously hurt. It is essential that companies ensure work at height is properly planned, organised and supervised in order to avoid this type of incident.”

Injury at Work – Expert Advice

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Source: Health & Safety Executive