Tag: fall from height

A Manchester based company responsible for the manufacture and installation of conservatory roofs has been fined after a worker was injured in a fall from height.

Incident

Two employees of Phil Coppell Ltd had been carrying out repair work on a conservatory roof at a residential property in Newton le Willows when the incident occurred in June 2015.

The employee in question was working on the roof alone when he lost his balance and fell around 2.5 meters onto a patio area below. He suffered a fractured skull which led to a bleed on his brain following the fall. The 59 year old worker from Bolton also suffered a shattered eye socket.

HSE investigation

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found that there no preventative measures were in place to avoid a fall from height. HSE subsequently issued an Improvement Notice and the company has since developed a barrier to be used as edge protection during work at height.

Previous incidents

Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court heard that this was not the first incident of its kind involving employees of Phil Coppell Ltd and fall from height. The company was also prosecuted for serious safety failings after the same employee fell off a roof and lost consciousness in 2013. They were also prosecuted for failing to report an incident after another employee fell through a skylight in 2013, suffering multiple broken ribs.

Sentencing

Phil Coppell Ltd of Cemetery Road, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company also pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 3(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, and Regulation 4(1) of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013. The firm was fined a total of £40,280 and ordered to pay costs of £1,464.70.

HSE inspector Christine McGlynn said after the hearing:

“This incident could have been avoided if the company had learnt lessons from two previous similar incidents in 2013. The risks of working from height are well known and there is plenty of guidance available.

“Employees of this company were exposed to the risks of falls over a prolonged period of time. Generally work of this nature is at the rear of premises and is not visible or easy to monitor, however this prosecution should highlight, in particular to other companies who carry out work on conservatory roofs, that they should have in place control measures to prevent the risk of falls”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

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.
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A distillery in Oldbury, West Midlands, has been fined following a fire in which an employee was seriously injured.

Incident

At the time of the incident, a highly flammable liquid – ethyl acetate – was being transported from a bulk storage tank into an intermediate bulk container. The liquid caught fire and engulfed a 21 year old worker, who suffered twenty percent burns to his hands, neck and head.

The fire at Alcohol Limited destroyed the distillery’s warehouse and also caused damage to nearby cars and houses.

HSE Investigation

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) it was determined that the most likely cause of the fire was a ‘discharge of static electricity’ that would have been generated by the transfer of the highly flammable liquid.

Inspectors from the HSE also found there was a failure to properly inspect the equipment or supervise the systems of work in place. Furthermore it was found that there was poor maintenance of associated valves and pipework.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Alcohols Limited, of Charringtons House, The Causeway, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, was fined £270,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,009.

HSE inspector Kieron Jones said after the hearing:

“Companies that fail to ensure the integrity of their safety critical equipment place their employees, members of the public, emergency services and their entire livelihood at risk of serious harm.

“Poor management of highly flammable liquids can have catastrophic results both for individuals and businesses.”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

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.

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Source: Health & Safety Executive

Two roofing firms and one of their directors have been fined following an incident in which a worker fell to his death through a skylight.

Incident

Worker Lance Davies, a father of seven, died after he fell seven meters through a roof light to the floor below. The incident took place at an industrial property in the Crumlin area of South Wales, in December 2011.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found there were inadequate control measures in place to prevent a fall through the roof lights on the property. Inspectors also found that the work at height had not been properly planned or supervised.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, B & T Roofing Solutions Limited, of Arthur Street, Ystrad, Pentre, was fined a total of £20,000.

Kristian Griffiths, of Arthur Street, Ystrad, Pentre, a director of B & T Roofing Solutions Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by virtue of Section 37 of the Health and Safety at work etc Act 1974. The director received a 160 hours community service order.

B & T Roofing Solutions and Kristian Griffiths were ordered to pay costs of £32,500 between them.

SPAN Roofing Contractors Limited, of Sunnyside Road North, Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. The company was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay costs of £37,500.

Following the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Paul Harvey said:

“Falls through fragile roof lights and roofs are one of the biggest causes of fatalities and serious injury in the construction industry. The issue is well known in the construction industry and there is plenty of guidance available.

“The tragic death of Mr Davies could easily have been avoided had the work been planned, managed and monitored effectively and simple and cost effective control measures put in place.”

Accident at work claim – speak to the experts

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

A Merseyside based engineering company has been fined by the HSE following an incident in which an employee was seriously injured.

Incident

On 30th June 2014, a 46 year old employee of Knowsley Engineering Services Ltd was attempting to move a metal structure using a forklift truck. The employee, along with a colleague, was trying to lift the structure when it twisted and swung towards the worker. The structure entered the cab of the truck and struck the employee. He suffered serious flesh wounds and a fractured arm.

An investigation into the incident found that the company had failed to ensure that the process of lifting was suitably planned, supervised and carried out safely.

Furthermore, the Health and Safety Executive found that the company had failed to carry out a risk assessment and had not provided employees with suitable training.

Sentencing and fines

After pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974., Knowsley Engineering Services Ltd of Peel Road Industrial Estate, Skelmersdale was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,670.

HSE Inspector Imran Siddiqui said after the hearing:

“Had the company taken basic steps such as providing suitable training so those undertaking the lift were in a more informed position to assess and then adequately manage the risks, this incident would have been avoided.”

Injury 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. If you believe that more could have been done to prevent your accident at work, speak to our expert team of personal injury solicitors today for your FREE no obligation consultation.

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Source: Health & Safety Executive

A self-employed business man has been fined after one of his employees fell through a fragile skylight.

Incident

On 13 November 2014, Ian Kirby – an employee of Phillip Posnett, was replacing broken tiles on the roof of a farm building. Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard how once the work was completed, Mr Kirby stepped onto an adjacent roof to get rid of debris. He fell through a fragile roof light and landed in the scraper of a tractor that was parked below.

Mr Kirby was unable to return to work for six months after suffering head injuries, broken ribs, a broken collar bone and a chip to the spine.

HSE Investigation

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident and found that no risk assessment had been carried out for the work in question. Mr Kirby had not been provided with information or instruction on the possible risks of working at height, furthermore he had not undergone specific training in order to carry out work at height.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Mr Phillip Posnett, of Haughton Hall, Hall Lane, Haughton, Tarporley, was fined £16,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,330.80.

HSE inspector Jane Carroll said after the hearing:

“Falls through fragile roofs are a well-documented hazard when undertaking roof work of any type. This case highlights how a failure to risk assess a job properly and identify the presence of a fragile roof can lead to serious personal injury for workers.”

Injury at Work – Expert Advice

If you have suffered an injury at work you could be entitled to personal injury compensation. Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation – discover today whether you have a claim. Speak to one of our professional and friendly advisers today on 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Bradford based galvanising firm T & D Galvanising Ltd has been fined by the Health & Safety Executive after a worker sustained serious injuries.

Incident

In June 2015, Mr Ali Zada was using an overhead crane to lift a bundle of mesh panels when one of the lifting wires snapped on one side. The bundle of mesh panels swung and struck Mr Zada’s leg, knocking him to the floor.

Bradford Magistrate’s Court heard that previously there had been a number of incidents of loads falling from overhead cranes due to workpieces being moved and becoming loose or wire tires not being tied correctly. HSE investigators also found that employees had not been provided with sufficient information regarding the various safe methods of tying the wires or working load limits.

Sentencing

After pleading guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, T & D Galvanising Ltd of Bowling Back Lane Bradford was fined a total of £9,000. The company was also ordered to pay costs of £1,379.

HSE inspector Andrea Jones said after the hearing:

“No checks were made to ensure that employees were aware and understood that wire ties should not be re-used after being dipped into the zinc tank.

“This accident could have had fatal consequences. Mr Zada was fortunate not to have received more serious injuries. This demonstrates the importance of planning lifting operations and training of employees to ensure safe methods are followed.”

Injury at Work – Expert Advice

If you have suffered an injury at work you could be entitled to personal injury compensation. Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation – discover today whether you have a claim. Speak to one of our professional and friendly advisers today on 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive

A farming firm based in Staffordshire has been fined for safety failings after an injury at work incident, which later resulted in amputation of the worker’s arm.

Incident

At the time of the incident, Polish worker Marek Wasilewski, 35, of Swadlincote, sat underneath the rollers of a potato grading machine to clean it. Mr Wasilewski attempted to carry out this process while the machine was still switched on, using a long screw driver.

During his attempt to clean the machinery, the rollers drew his left arm into the machine up to his shoulder. The machinery had to be dismantled in order to release Mr Wasilewski; however as the crush injuries were so severe his arm later had to be amputated at the shoulder.

Mr Wasilewski also required five stitches to the middle finger of his left hand and suffered bruises and scratches to his head, neck, right arm and back.

HSE Investigation & Sentencing

An investigation into the incident on 12 November 2013 found that there were unsafe systems of work being used, including the cleaning of machinery before turning the power off.

W B Daw & Son, of Woodhouse Farm, Pipe Lane, Blithbury, Rugeley, Staffordshire, was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The company was fined a total of £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £25,000 at Stafford Magistrates’ Court earlier this year.

HSE Inspector David Brassington said after the case:

“Incidents of this kind are all too common and generally have serious consequences. The onus is on employers to ensure that suitable and sufficient risk assessments are undertaken for work activities involving exposure to dangerous parts of machinery, and to make sure that robust safe systems of work are implemented to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.

“This incident could have easily been avoided had the machine been switched off and securely isolated before cleaning work started. But W B Daw & Son had failed to give clear instructions to its employees and failed to monitor their activities, so a series of unsafe methods of cleaning the potato grader had developed.

“The employer’s failings led to this young man having his arm amputated and he and his family will now have to cope with those serious, life-changing injuries.”

Injury at Work – Expert Advice

If you have suffered an injury at work you could be entitled to personal injury compensation. Remember, we offer you a FREE no-obligation consultation – discover today whether you have a claim. Speak to one of our professional and friendly advisers today on 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive