Tag: accident at work

Two Men Injured in Accident at Work at Stansted Airport

Posted on March 17, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

An aircraft engineering company based at Stansted Airport has been fined by the HSE after two men were injured in an accident at work.

Accident at work

Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard how an agency worker and an employee of Inflite Engineering Services were carrying out checks at the tail of an aeroplane on 10 June 2015. The men were working on either side of the tail using mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) at the time of the accident at work incident.

The court heard how third employee closed the wrong circuit breaker, which opened the plane’s air-brake and knocked over the two MEWPs.

Injuries

Both the agency worker and the Inflite employee fell around 10-15 feet to the ground below. One man, 62, suffered a broken back, three fractures to his pelvis, a punctured lung and a fractured elbow. The second man, 60, suffered a chipped bone on his spine, as well as a broken wrist.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that no adequate risk assessment was in place. Furthermore, HSE found there was a lack of suitable monitoring in place while the work was being carried out.

Sentencing

Almost two years later, Inflite Engineering Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The firm was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,492.90.

HSE Inspector Tania van Rixtel said after the hearing:

“Both of these men suffered shocking injuries after falling from height, which could easily have been a double fatality. Our investigation found the incident could have been avoided had adequate monitoring been taking place. Aircraft maintenance companies are reminded that not all risks are covered by the Aircraft Maintenance Manual and additional measures need to be introduced.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

Man Suffers Broken Pelvis in Accident at Work

Posted on March 15, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A construction company based in Bedfordshire has been fined £400,000 after a worker suffered a broken pelvis in an accident at work.

Accident at work incident

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how an employee of Kier Construction Limited (Kier) was carrying out work at a site in Uxbridge, Middlesex at the time of the incident. The worker, Jair Morales, was installing plywood boards over holes on the third floor of a building when he fell around 3.9 meters to the floor below. He suffered a fractured pelvis and broken arm during the accident at work incident. Mr Morales has been unable to work since.

HSE investiagtion

Health and Safety Executives’ investigation into the incident found that the firm did not ensure the work was carried out in a safe manner and that it hadn’t been properly planned. Furthermore, the court heard how Kier hadn’t taken any steps to prevent Mr Morales from falling through the opening as he installed the boards.

Sentencing and fines

Kier Construction Limited of Tempsford Hall, Bedfordshire pleaded guilty to breaching section 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The firm has been fined £400,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £1,534.

HSE inspector Owen Rowley said after the hearing:

“This incident could have been a lot worse. The system that Kier Construction Ltd has in place to control the risk from installing the protection for openings was not implemented on site, ultimately resulting in the accident.

“The risks of working at height are widely recognised throughout the construction industry. This case highlights the importance of ensuring that all work at height is properly planned and carried out safely.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

Worker’s Leg Crushed in Accident at Work

Posted on March 7, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

An engineering firm has been fined after an accident at work incident in which a worker suffered life-changing injuries.

Incident

On 10 June 2015 Felix Trefas, a welder for F. Brazil Reinforcements Ltd (FBR), was putting together large steel reinforcing cages. Once completed, the cages were to be moved overhead using large travelling cranes.

On the day of the incident, one of the overhead cranes broke down. Mr Trefas was then asked by another colleague to climb more than six metres up the crane support column to reset the controls. As he was doing so, his left leg came into contact with another overhead crane. As a result he suffered crush injuries to his leg and required amputation below the knee.

Health & safety breaches

Southen-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court heard how the overhead cranes had been poorly maintained; meaning workers often had to work at height to reset the controls. The court also heard, as was the case with Mr Trefas, during night shifts workers would often climb up the crane support column.

Despite toilets and washing facilities at the site having previously been subject to enforcement action by HSE, they were found in a very poor and dirty condition.

Sentencing & fines

In his summing up, the District Judge said that this “horrific accident should never have happened”. He added that FBR “should have had systems in place” to detect that dangerous access to the cranes was regularly occurring.

F. Brazil Reinforcements Ltd of Romainville Way, Charfleets Industrial Estate, Canvey Island pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company also pleaded guilty to two separate breaches of Regulation 4 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

FBR were fined a total of £277,000 for the first breach and a single fee of £5,000 in relation to the other two breaches. The company were also ordered to pay costs of £11,904 and a £120 victim surcharge.

HSE Inspector Sue Matthews said after the hearing:

“It is essential that lifting equipment is properly maintained and that safe systems of work are in place for work at height. Employers have a duty to ensure that welfare facilities are kept clean.

“Felix is incredibly lucky that he was not killed in this incident but he has suffered permanent life-changing injuries. This preventable workplace accident has changed the life of a previously fit and hard-working young man irrevocably.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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 .

Balfour Beatty Employee Suffers Injury at Work

Posted on March 6, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Construction company Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Limited (Balfour Beatty) has been fined almost a quarter of a million pounds after an employee suffered an injury at work.

Injury at work

The company were running a house-building development site at Richmond Park, Croft, Sheffield at the time of the incident. Three workers had been instructed to carry out brick laying work on the first floor of a new build domestic property.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how one of the workers was injured when part of the floor beneath him gave way. The worker, along with 70 building blocks, fell 2.4 meters to the ground floor. He sustained multiple fractures to bones in his foot during the accident at work incident.

HSE Investigation

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it was determined that the supporting joists of the first floor were unstable. They had not been properly installed as instructed by the designer of the house.

Fines

Balfour Beatty Regional Construction Limited of Wilton Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 28 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. The company was fined £230,000, with costs of £11,915.

Alan Sheldon, HSE Inspector, said:

“It is vital that companies following design instructions and ensure that structures are stable. This incident could have been much more serious for a number of workers and should act as a reminder to everyone within construction–that protecting workers’ health and safety is vital in such a potentially dangerous industry.”

Injury at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

To begin your accident or injury 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

Man Seriously Injured in Accident at Work

Posted on March 1, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A company has been fined after a worker was seriously injured in an accident at work incident that occurred in 2014.

Accident at work incident

Basildon Crown Court heard how on 16 November 2014, an employee of London Container Terminal (Tilbury) Limited (LCT) was operating a straddle carrier at Tilbury Docks. The worker accidentally drove the vehicle, used in the port terminal for stacking and moving freight shipping containers, into a large excavation area and it toppled over.

Life changing injuries

The worker suffered life changing injuries in the accident at work incident. He sustained a serious head injury that required 29 staples to close, as well ongoing post-traumatic stress disorder.

The court heard how the worker could not see the road cones, ticker tape around the excavation or the small flashing lights from his seat in the vehicles cab, as it was dark and the weather conditions were very poor.

HSE Investigation

It was found, following an investigation into the accident at work incident by the Health and Safety Executive, that LCT were ‘wholly inadequate’ to prevent the carrier from entering the excavation. Furthermore, it was found that all of the workers who had operated straddle carriers during the excavation works before the incident had been also been exposed to the risks.

Sentencing and fines

London Container Terminal Limited of Northfleet Hope House, Tilbury Docks, Tilbury pleaded guilty to breaching sections 2(1) and 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company were fined £180,000 and ordered to pay costs of £73,296.

HSE Inspector Nicola Jaynes said after the hearing:

“This was a serious incident and that could have been much worse. This was preventable if LCT had the correct safety precautions in place. This case serves as a reminder that suitable precautions are required to protect both pedestrians and vehicles from entering excavations.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

Construction Firm Employees Injured in Accident at Work

Posted on February 27, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A London construction firm has been fined for an accident at work incident in which four employees were injured.

Accident at work incident

At the time of the incident construction firm Leyland SDM (LSDM) Limited was undertaking a warehouse redevelopment project in Wembley.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard how four workers attempted to move a ventilation unit into position when the working platform they were using became overloaded and gave way.

All four men were injured after falling over three and a half meters to the ground below. The court heard how two of the workers sustained leg fractures and another suffered a broken collar bone.

HSE investigation

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of safety failings led to the accident at work incident. Firstly, the investigation found that LSDM failed to manage the risks involved when carrying out work at height. Secondly, it was found that the company failed to manage the risks involved when carrying out the lifting operation. Finally, it was found that the company failed to have the appropriate level of supervision and trained personnel in place in order to effectively carry out the task in a safe way.

Sentencing & fines

LSDM of Fourth Way, Wembley pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 6 (3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Regulation 4 (1) of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992. The firm were fined a total of £450,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1038.

HSE inspector Jack Wilby said after the hearing:

“The safety failings by this company are severe and it is lucky that the injuries were not more severe. This incident highlights the importance of planning work, in this case both for lifting operations and working from height, to ensure it is carried out safely.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

DFS Fined £1million for Accident at Work

Posted on February 27, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A national furniture company has been fined £1million following an accident at work incident which led to the serious injuries of a worker.

Accident at work incident

Derby Magistrates’ Court heard how on 02 July 2015, an employee of DFS Trading Limited (DFS) was unloading wooden furniture frames at one of their upholstery sites. As he was doing so, an unsecured furniture arm fell from an unstable bed and struck the worker.

The piece of wood hit the worker so hard he was knocked unconscious, sustaining serious head and neck injuries in the process.

HSE investigation

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that DFS failed to supervise the work that was being carried out. The investigation also found that the company failed to manage the risks of heavy loads as they were moved between sites.

Furthermore, it was found that a number of near missed had been reported from unsecured loads.

Sentencing and fines

DFS Trading Limited of Rockingham Way, Redhouse Interchange, Adwick Le Street Doncaster pleaded guilty to breaching sections 3 of the Managing Health and Safety at Work Regulation and also section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company were fined £1million with costs of £15,099.

HSE inspector Lyn Spooner said after the hearing:

“DFS is a large national organisation. The fundamental and systemic failings identified in their health and safety management systems is far from what would be expected from a company of their size who has the ability to deliver higher standards of safety.

“Unfortunately DFS were unable to do that on this occasion and a preventable accident was allowed to occur.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

Butchers’ Employee Injured in Accident at Work

Posted on February 15, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A butcher shop has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive after an employee suffered injuries to one of his hands in an accident at work incident.

Incident

The worker in question was cutting beef bones with a bandsaw at the time of the incident. He slipped whilst working and suffered deep lacerations to his left hand.

Bristol Magistrates Court heard how the safety devices on the band saw were not in use at the time of the accident as the worker had not been sufficiently trained to use them.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the incident found that the butchers had not provided the worker with adequate training. The investigation also found that the company had failed to properly asses the level of risk posed by the work. Finally, the investigation highlighted the fact that there was not an appropriate level of supervision in place at the time the work was carried out.

Fines & sentencing

The Butchers at Clifton Limited of Portwall Place, Portwall Lane, Bristol pleaded guilty breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company has been fined £18,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,343.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Tania Nickson said:

“The Company failed to appropriately train the staff member and failed to use the supplied safety features which would have prevented this incident from happening. The worker is fortunate not to have suffered more severe injuries.”

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

Three Firms Fined for Accident at Work Incident

Posted on February 13, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Three Essex firms have been fined after an accident at work incident in which a worker fell over 7 meters through a fragile roof.

Accident at work incident

Worker Rafal Myslim was stood on the fragile roof he was replacing at Dengie Crops Ltd in Asheldem at the time of the incident. Chelmsford Crown Court heard how asbestos sheeting in the roof gave way and as a result, Mr Myslim fell 7.5 meters onto the concrete floor below. Mr Myslim also struck a number of pipes within the building as he fell. As a result of the fall, Mr Myslim sustained a hematoma on the brain.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found three different companies at fault for Mr Myslim’s fall.

Dengie Crops Ltd contracted an agricultural machinery supplier, Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd, to help replace their roof. However, Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd did not have adequate experience in this area and so subcontracted the work to Balsham (Buildings) Ltd. Balsham planned out how the roof replacement should be carried out, but then subcontracted the actual replacement work to Strong Clad Ltd.

The HSE investigation concluded that Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd had no previous experience in working in construction. As a result, the company were unable to act effectively in their role as principle contractor. Furthermore, due to their inexperience, Ernest Doe & Sons Ltd did not recognise the risk of a fall that was highlighted in Balsham’s planning of the work.

The investigation also concluded that all three parties involved failed to put safety measures in place for 40% of the roof that didn’t have netting underneath. Instead, they depended too heavily on the verbal instructions to workers reminding them were the safety netting was and was not.

Sentencing & fines

Ernest Doe & sons Ltd, of Ulting, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 22 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. The company was fined £360,000 and ordered to pay costs totalling £10,000.

Balsham (Buildings) Ltd, of Balsham, Cambridge, pleaded guilty to breaching 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulation 2005. They were fined £45,000, with costs of £7,000.

Strong Clad Ltd, of Castle Hedingham, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulation 2005. The company was fined £7,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,000.

Adam Hills, HSE inspector, said:

“The dangers of working on fragile roofs are well documented. Every year too many people are killed or seriously injured due to falls from height while carrying out this work.

“Work at height requires adequate planning, organisation and communication between all parties. This incident was entirely preventable and Mr Myslim is lucky to be alive.”

Accident at work claims – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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

Roofing Contractor Fined for Safety Breaches

Posted on February 6, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Image of multiple hard hats in pigeon holes

A roofing contractor has been fined for safety breaches after two employees were seen working at height without any protection from potential falls.

Incident

Employees of MW Roofing (NW) Ltd were removing a chimney on a two storey residential property in Rochdale at the time of the incident.

Manchester City Magistrates heard how an eye witness saw the workers accessing the roof via a cat ladder. The workers were then seen removing waste by carrying buckets down the ladder.

No safety measurements were in place to stop either worker falling off the roof.

The court was told how MW Roofing (NW) Ltd had already been warned by the Health and Safety Executive about unsafe working at height practices. The company however still continued to work in a dangerous manner.

Sentencing and fines

MW Roofing (NW) Ltd of Bury Road, Bamford, Rochdale was fined £6,000 after pleading guilty to multiple safety breaches. The company pleaded guilty to breaching both Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc.

They were also ordered to pay costs of £2,440.60.

HSE Inspector David Argument said after the hearing:

“You cannot ignore the dangers of working at height; it remains the main cause of death and serious injury in the workplace, particularly in the construction industry. Simple measures, such as providing guard rails can prevent death and serious injury”.

Accident at work – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

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 and Safety Executive