Tag: accidents at work

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

Construction Firm Fined for Accident at Work

Posted on January 24, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Image of inside an elevator shaft relating to an accident at work incident

A construction company based in Lincolnshire was fined after a contractor was seriously injured in an accident at work incident.

Accident at Work Incident

M & L Installers Ltd had been contracted to install a mezzanine floor at a factory in Surrey. The design of the floor included a hole so that an elevator could be fitted at a later date.

Guildford Crown Court heard how a contractor who was working on the floor stepped backwards and fell through the hole. He sustained life threatening injuries after falling 3.5 meters to the concrete floor below.

Injuries

The contractor suffered a severe brain injury for which he was kept in hospital for 2 months. He has been unable to return to work since the incident on 13 January 2015.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the accident at work incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the firm had failed to board up or guard the hole to prevent someone from falling through.

Sentencing

M & L Installers Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of the Work at Height Regulations, Regulation 6(3). The construction firm were fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £9,165.56 in costs.

HSE Inspector, Amanda Huff, said after the hearing:

“The contractors injuries were life changing and he could have easily been killed. This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safe guards had been put in place”.

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

Logistics Firm Fined for Accident at Work

Posted on January 20, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

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A Staffordshire logistics company has been prosecuted after two employees were injured in separate accident at work incidents within two days of each other.

Two accident at work incidents in two days

In the first accident at work incident, a 39 year old worker was struck by a forklift truck (FLT) at the Oxford Mini plant. He sustained crush injuries to his left foot. The incident occurred on 6 October 2014.

The second accident at work incident took place the following day and involved a 55 year old operations manager. The worker was pinned to the ground by a large metal box as he was walking along a marked pedestrian walkway. Oxford Crown Court heard how the metal box fell and struck the worker after it fell from the forks of a truck. He suffered serious injuries including internal bleeding and punctured lungs. He also suffered a fractured pelvis.

Health & Safety Executive investigation

An investigation into the first accident at work incident found the risk assessments in place were poor. Furthermore, the investigation found that FLT operators, and their supervisors, were not correctly trained.

HSE’s investigation into the second accident at work incident found the segregation of pedestrians and vehicles was insufficient.

Sentencing & fines

Rudolph & Hellmann Automotive Limited, of Sandford Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £265,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,943.30.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Kelly Nichols said:

“It is vital that drivers are competent and have received appropriate information, instruction and training. Sites should be well-designed and maintained with suitable segregation of vehicles and people in order to minimise the risk of workplace transport accidents.

“The risks from workplace transport in warehouses and the required control measures to manage those risks are well known and publicised in HSE publications. It is really disappointing to find Rudolph & Hellmann Automotive Limited (RHA) failing to manage and control the risks associated with the lifting and movement of vehicles and goods in a busy workplace.

“Sadly, in this case, the prosecution shows that RHA’s management of FLT driving operations and risk control measures failed which exposed employees to danger from falling loads and from being struck by a vehicle. These serious injuries were preventable.”

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

Crisp Company Fined for Accident at Work Incident

Posted on January 16, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Image of Tato Group logo

A crisps and snacks manufacturer based in Northamptonshire has been fined for an accident at work incident in which an employee lost the tips of three fingers.

Accident at Work Incident

At the time of the incident, an agency worker for Tayto Group Limited was attempting to remove a blockage from a machine when his hand came into contact with shears. Three fingers on the worker’s right hand were severed below the first knuckle.

Health & Safety Executive Investigation

Northampton Crown Court heard how an investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that the guard on the machine had not been secured properly. Furthermore, it was found that Tayto Group Limited had not put a formal monitoring system in place on the machine involved in the accident at work incident. Such a system would have ensured that all guards were in place and secure before the machine started.

Sentencing & Fines

After pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 5 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), Tayto Group Limited, of Princewood Road, Earlstrees Industrial Estate, Corby, Northamptonshire, was fined £330,000. The firm was also ordered to pay costs of £11,752.23.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Michelle Morrison said:

“This man suffered a life-changing injury in what was an entirely preventable incident. Employers must have adequate and robust systems to ensure that guards used to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery are in place and secure before machinery is put into use.”

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. 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

Employee Suffers Chemical Burns in Accident at Work

Posted on January 13, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Image of worker holding a bottle containing chemicals surrounded by health and safety warning signs

A Hampshire based electro-polishing company has been fined for an accident at work incident in which a worker suffered chemical burns.

Accident at Work Incident

On 13 February 2015, an employee of Poligrat (UK) Limited was instructed by a manager to dispose of waste cleaning chemicals at the firm’s site in Aldershot.

The agreed method was to transfer caustic pearl granules into the top part of an ‘intermediate bulk container’ (IBC) containing acids, in order to neutralise the chemicals inside.

However, during this process an exothermic reaction occurred and the container became unstable. The chemicals erupted over the employee, 51 year old Keith Brown, and he was thrown to the ground.

The force of the chemical reaction blew Mr Brown’s glasses off and he suffered alkaline burns to his eyelids and ulcers to both corneas, as well as grazing and burns to his legs.

HSE Investigation

Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court how an investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive found various safety breaches. Firstly, it was found that the agreed method of transferring the substances had not been suitably risk assessed. Secondly, it was found that the substances used themselves had also not been sufficiently risk assessed.

Sentencing

Poligrat (UK) Limited, of Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The company was fined a total of £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1,072.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Andrew Johnson said:

“The use of an IBC as a reaction vessel was wholly inappropriate. IBC’s are designed for the storage of a range of substances. They are not designed for use as a chemical reactor. Other safer reasonably practicable options were available, such as using a waste management company to remove and safely dispose of the chemicals.”

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. 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

Muller UK Employee Injured in Accident at Work

Posted on January 5, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Image of Muller UK & Ireland Logo Accident at Work

A dairy manufacturer in Market Drayton has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following an accident at work incident, in which a worker sustained serious injuries when he fell from height.

Incident

Manchester Crown Court heard that on 8th July 2015, an employee of Muller UK and Ireland Group LLP (Muller UK), along with the assistance of two of his colleagues, was changing the refrigeration gas of a set of chilled storage units.

All three men were carrying out the work whilst stood in the roof void of a building that housed the chilled storage units at the firm’s premises on Lake Road, Trafford Park. The worker in question was stood on a fragile roof panel when he fell. He sustained serious injuries to his head and body after falling 15 feet through the void between the chilled unit and the building shell.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the incident by the HSE found that despite having instructed numerous employees to carry out the same work on numerous occasions previously; Muller UK had not provided the workers with any information regarding the fragile roof panels.

HSE’s investigation also found that no risk assessment was carried out by Muller UK before permitting access to the roof void. The roof panels were not clearly visible and there were no warning markings or barriers in place to prevent access to the fragile panels.

Furthermore, the company had not shared any information regarding the presence of fragile roof panels prior to work starting.

Sentencing

Muller UK and Ireland Group LLP, of Tern Valley Business Park, Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. the company was fined a total of £400,000 and ordered to pay £9,336.90 costs.

HSE inspector Jane Carroll said after the hearing:

“This case highlights how important it is that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is undertaken for all work at height and work within roof voids, to identify the potential for fragile panels to be present. Falls from height through fragile roofs remain a common cause of life changing or fatal injuries for individuals at work”

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. 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 Loses Arm & Leg in Accident at Work

Posted on December 30, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of scaffolding at the side of a building

A father of newly born twin girls has had his arm, leg and several toes amputated after he suffered an electric shock in an accident at work incident.

Jamie Mines was placed in an induced coma following the incident in Swindon, Wiltshire on Monday 19th December. He remains in a critical but stable condition.

During the accident at work incident, the 33 year old suffered a severe electric shock as he was working on five-meter high scaffolding. The exact details of the situation and which company Mr Mines was working for at the time of the incident have yet to be released.

In the 24 hours following the accident, friends and family of Mr Mines managed to raise a total of £15,000 through a Go Fund Me page. The money is to be used to help aid the father of two’s recovery.

Close friend of Mr Mines, Ian Kennedy, 32, from Swindon, said:

“It’s really tough for the family. They were looking forward to their first Christmas together.

“The girls had to open Christmas presents on their own without their dad. I have known Jamie for years as we’ve played football together.

“It is just crazy that the donations are being made from people that didn’t even know him.

“It came as a shock to everyone that it had happened and over Christmas doctors didn’t know how severe his injuries were but then had to amputate his leg and hand to save his life.

Mr Kennedy went on to say:

“The doctor said if he wasn’t so fit, he probably would have died.”

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. More information can be found via our ‘Accident 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: SWNS.com

Chester Firm Fined for Accident at Work

Posted on December 28, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

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A construction firm in Chester has been fined after the employee of a sub-contractor was injured in an accident at work incident involving a telehandler.

Incident

At the time of the incident the employee was stood in a ‘man riding basket’ that was attached to the forks of a telehandler. The basket came loose from the telehandler and fell five meters to the ground below. The worker in question suffered a laceration to his head, as well as bruising to his ribs.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found a number of safety measures were not in place. The ‘man riding basket’ was not properly attached to the telehandler by the retaining bar or a chain as it should. Furthermore, only one of the forks of the telehandler had been hooked through the sleeves below the basket.

The employee was lowering the basket when he accidently titled the forks downwards, and as a result the cage slipped off the forks of the telehandler and crashed to the ground.

The HSE investigation found that the worker operating the telehandler was not competent as he had not received any formal training. The investigation found that no risk assessment or safe method of working had been implemented and that poor planning also contributed to the incident.

Sentencing & fines

After pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work (etc.) Act 1974, Pioneer Design and Build Ltd of Macon Court, Crewe, Cheshire was fined a total of £15,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £1,444.30.

HSE Inspector Christine McGlynn said after the hearing:

“This incident was avoidable. The decision to use this equipment was flawed, followed by a failure to implement control measures to ensure the safety of workers. Non-integrated baskets should only be used in exceptional circumstances and only then in accordance with guidance”

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. More information can be found via our ‘Accident 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

Kent Firm Fined after Worker Injures Hand

Posted on December 22, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a Printing Press

A Kent based firm that produces seals and labels has been prosecuted after an accident at work incident in which a worker sustained hand injuries when using a printing press.

Incident

At the time of the incident, an employee of Fuji Seal Europe Limited (FSE) was attempting to clean the blade of a printing press when his hand was pulled into the machine. As a result the worker suffered fractures and a loss of skin to fingers on his right hand. A titanium fixture was later put in place in order to support the worker’s middle finger.

Investigation & Sentencing

After an investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive it was found that the system of work in place was ‘flawed and unsafe’ and that there was no guard on the machine.

After pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Fuji Seal Europe Limited was fined £160,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £12,000.

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. More information can be found via our ‘Accident 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 .

Company Fined after Worker Falls 6m from Roof

Posted on December 8, 2016 by - Accidents at Work

Image of a barn with a roof in need of repair relating to an accident at work incident

An engineering construction company based in Derbyshire has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an accident at work incident in which a worker fell from height and suffered severe injuries.

Incident

Derby Magistrates Court heard how on the 30 July 2014, an employee of Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Ltd was working as part of a pair replacing the roof panels on a barn.

The worker then fell 6 meters to the floor from the homemade crawling boards he was using, suffering serious injuries to his lungs, hip and head in the process.

A colleague of the injured worker was under the roof in a basket attached to a telehandler. When the incident took place he had to climb down the boom of the machine in order to assist the worker.

HSE Investigation

HSE investigated the incident and found a lack of coverings and platforms on the roof which would have protected workers from falling. Furthermore, there were no separate controls on the basket in which the other worker was standing in, leaving him stranded after his colleague fell.

Inspectors came across the firm’s risk assessment and method statement in an office room. However despite the outlining how to correctly proceed with the work, it was not specific to the job in hand.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to Sections 4(1), 7 and 9 (2) of the Working at Height regulations Allen and Hunt Construction Engineers Ltd of Thorpe, Derbyshire, was fined a total of £267,000. Additionally, the company were ordered to pay costs of £7,750, along with a victim surcharge of £120.

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. 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