Tag: fall from height

Man Suffers Serious Crush Injuries in Accident at Work

Posted on May 16, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A steel manufacturing company based in Cardiff has been prosecuted after a worker suffered crush injuries to his hand in an accident at work.

Accident at work incident

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard how the accident at work took place on 23 October 2015. An employee of Rom Ltd was removing leftover steel from a machine used for straightening steel wire, called the Koch Straightener.

The worker trapped his hand between the rotating rollers inside the machine, suffering serious crush injuries to his right hand. He also severed the tip of his right index finger during the accident at work.

Health and safety investigation

The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into the accident at work incident and found that Rom Ltd failed to recognise the risks involved with workers manually operating the Kick Straightener. It was also found that steps hadn’t been taken to ensure the machine was appropriately guarded.

Furthermore, it was found that the company failed to provide an adequate level of supervision for the activity, resulting in the worker suffering the workplace injury.

Sentencing and fines

Rom Ltd of Castle Works, East Moors Road, Cardiff today pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,200.63.

HSE inspector David Keane said after the hearing:

“This man suffered a life-changing injury. The company failed to protect the worker from harm by not properly considering the risks associated with manually operating dangerous machinery such as this.”

Accident at work compensation – 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 Crush Injuries in Accident at Work

Posted on April 25, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A Bedfordshire based company has been fined after a man suffered crush injuries in an accident at work.

Accident at work in Leighton Buzzard

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how an employee of BS Trailer Services Ltd was arranging the movement of lorry trailers in the firm’s transport yard in Leighton Buzzard, on 15 September 2015.

A second employee was helping by driving a tractor unit; however the court heard that there was confusion over which trailer the driver of the tractor unit was to move first.

He moved the tractor unit to attach to the trailer his colleague was looking at, but could not see him due to a ‘blind-spot’. He reversed the tractor unit and trapped the other worker between this and the trailer.

The driver of the tractor unit heard the man’s shout and was able to stop the vehicle swiftly. The other worker sustained six broken ribs in the incident.

Health and Safety investigation

A Health and Safety investigation into the accident at work found that the yard was not organised in a way that allowed the safe movement of both pedestrians and traffic. Safe routes had not been identified and suitable measures had not been taken to avert danger.

Furthermore, the investigation into the accident at work found that three other firms utilised the yard, each with their own employees and visitors.

Sentencing and fines

BS Trailer Services Ltd of Kings Farm Industrial Estate, Great Billington, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 3 (a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

The company was fined a total of £25,000 and costs of £1,599.50.

HSE Inspector Robert Meardon said:

“A Traffic Management Plan agreed with the tenant businesses would have identified areas of segregation and measures for the separation of vehicles and people with barriers and clear signage. This had not been carried out and implemented.

“The injuries could easily have been fatal and I want to say to all companies that they need to consider and take measures to reduce the risk of people being injured by the movement of vehicles on their site; this is one of the most common causes of accidents. There are more than 5,000 accidents involving transport in the workplace every year, some of which are fatal.”

Accident at work compensation – 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

61 Year Old Seriously Burned in Accident at Work

Posted on April 18, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A council contractor has been fined after an employee suffered major burns in an accident at work.

Accident at work – electric shock

Gloucester Crown Court heard how a 61 year old worker was carrying out the replacement of a traffic light pole when he came into contact with a live underground wire. The man was an employee of a company instructed by Amey – a UK based infrastructure support service provider – to carry out the work. He was immediately electrocuted and suffered serious burns to his hands, arms, stomach, face, leg and chest after the power of the electric current set him on fire.

HSE investigation

The Health and Safety Executive launched an investigation into accident at work and found a number of safety failings by Amey. The court heard how Amey did not provide adequate information on the location of underground services in the area and that Amey had not properly managed the risks from these. Furthermore, the investigation found that Amey’s supervision of the work was inadequate.

Sentencing & fines

Amey LG Limited, of Edmund Halley Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 25 (4) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The firm was fined £600,000 and ordered to pay costs of £15,498 following the accident at work.

After the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Helena Tinton said:

“This man suffered life changing injuries as a result of this incident. He’s not been able to return to work, he still can’t use his hands properly and has been left both physically and mentally scarred by what happened. Had Amey given adequate information to the team working on site, and had Amey ensured the work was properly planned and supervised, this incident could have been avoided.

“This case should act as a reminder to local authorities and their contractors of the risks of working underground and the danger of severe electric shocks.”

Accident at work compensation – 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 Falls Through Skylight in Accident at Work

Posted on April 4, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

Two companies have been fined following an accident at work incident in which a worker fell nine meters through a skylight.

Accident at work – fall from height

Coventry Magistrate’s Court heard how JDB Industrial Roofing Limited had subcontracted ACG Roofing Limited to complete re-cladding work on a fragile roof. The court heard that on the day of the accident at work incident, 15 December 2015, the worker in question fell 9 meters through a skylight to the concrete ground below. He suffered suffered life changing injuries, requiring surgery to install metal rods into his back.

When the worker fell, the harness he was wearing was not attached to anything and no guardrails were in place.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the accident at work incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found multiple safety failings.

The HSE investigation determined that the principle contractors, JDB Industrial Roofing Limited, failed to put effective management systems in place to control the risks that could arise when working at height or on fragile roofing.

Sentencing & fines

JDB Industrial Roofing Limited of Brooklands Court, Kettering, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The company was fined £112,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2216.68.

ACG Roofing Limited of High Street, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1721.78.

HSE inspector Edward Fryer said after the hearing:

“This incident could have been fatal; the worker has suffered life changing injuries due to the company failing to properly plan and supervise work at height.

“This case highlights the importance of proper planning, supervision and implementation of work at height especially on fragile roofing.”

Accident at work compensation – 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

Employee Loses Two Fingers in Accident at Work

Posted on March 30, 2017 by - Accidents at Work

A construction company in North Lincolnshire has been fined for safety failings after an accident at work left an employee with life changing injuries.

Accident at work

Nuneaton Magistrates Court heard how Coldmac Limited had been contracted to lay a footway in 2015. On 8 April, a worker for the firm was using a screwdriver to remove asphalt residue from a cement mixer he was using. The court heard how the screwdriver slipped and the employee caught his hand on the lip of the mixer.

Injuries

As a result of this accident at work, the worker in question lost his middle and index fingers.

HSE investigation

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the accident at work incident and found that the guarding on the mixer was ‘below the safety standard required in order for people to safely operate the machinery’.

Sentencing & fines

Coldmac Limited of Midland Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire pleaded guilty of breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. The company was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1995.92.

HSE inspector Luke Messenger said after the hearing:

“This case highlights the importance of safety checking equipment and machinery, ensuring that they have the appropriate guarding in place to avoid serious injuries like this.”

Accident at work compensation – 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

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

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

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