Tag: hurt by forklift truck

Logistics Firm Fined for Accident at Work

Image of multiple hard hats in pigeon holes

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

Employee Suffers Chemical Burns in Accident 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

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

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

Kent Firm Fined after Worker Injures Hand

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

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

Worker Sustains Fatal Head Injuries in Accident at Work

Image of man fitting a UPVC window inside a house

A window installation firm has been fined following an accident at work incident in which an employee fell from height, later dying from his injuries.

Incident

Brighton Magistrates Court heard how on the 10 September Kevin McLean, trading as South Coast Installations, was installing UPVC windows at a three story house in Brighton.

Mark Taylor, a 48 year old window fitter from Southampton, was assisting Mr McLean with the installation at the time of the incident. The court heard how Mr Taylor fell to the ground when the unsecured ladder he was standing on fell sideways.

Mr Taylor, a father of two, was taken to hospital after sustaining serious head injuries but unfortunately he died the following day.

HSE Investigation

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr McLean had failed to ensure that the work was planned correctly and carried out in a safe manner.

After pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations, Kevin McLean trading as South Coast Installations was fined a total of £10,000. The window fitter was also ordered to pay costs of £6,250.

HSE Inspector Amanda Huff, said:

“Mark Taylor’s family have been devastated because simple steps where not taken to secure the ladder he was using. If Kevin McLean had ensured a proper risk assessment was carried out this tragic incident could have been prevented.”

Accidents 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

One Dead after Gas Leak at Carlsberg Brewery

Image of Carlberg brewery in Northampton UK

One man has died and another is in a serious condition after a gas leak at a Carlsberg brewery in Northampton.

Emergency services attended the scene at 12.30pm yesterday after reports of an industrial accident. A total of 22 people, including two police officers, nine firefighters and 11 factory staff have been admitted to hospital.

Northamptonshire police have said that the victim was in his 40s, while a 51 year old man is in a serious but stable condition. A police statement said:

“Other staff from Carlsberg and emergency service personnel remain at the hospital receiving treatment. Northamptonshire police are working with the health and safety executive to investigate the incident.”

Police added that the leak was confined to the site of the brewery only and there is thought to be no further risk to members of the public.

Julian Momen, chief executive officer of Carlsberg UK, said:

“We are deeply, deeply saddened by today’s tragic incident and subsequent fatality. Our immediate thoughts are with the individual’s family, friends and colleagues at this very difficult time and we will support them in every way we can.

“Our further thoughts and support are with our colleagues and members of the emergency services who are being treated in hospital. One of our colleagues remains in a serious but stable condition. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of everyone working for us.

“We are working closely with the authorities to investigate how this tragic incident occurred and we will be in a position to say more once a full investigation has been concluded.”

Accidents 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: Guardian

Worker Seriously Injured in Mobile Platform Fall

Image of a worker stood on a blue mobile elevating platform

A waste equipment maintenance firm in Buckinghamshire has been fined after a worker suffered serious head injuries when a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) overturned.

Incident

At the time of the incident on 19th January 2015, Geoffrey Hatton, 49, from County Durham, was in the process of deconstructing a compactor at a site in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

A Court heard that Mr Hatton, who was in the MEWP, and a colleague, were dismantling large pieces of cladding from the frame of a compactor. The machine toppled over when a large piece of the cladding came into contact with the MEWP.

Injuries

Mr Hatton fractured his skull and two ribs in the incident and spent two months in hospital.

Investigation

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) carried out an investigation finding serious safety failings by Cole Mechanical Services Ltd. The MEWP in question was only suitable for internal work, however at the time of the incident it was being used outside.

The employees at the firm were not trained in how to use MEWPS or how to safely erect tower scaffolding and no risk assessment had been conducted for the work being carried out. Furthermore it was found that during the time of the incident another worker was working on a fragile roof with no protection to prevent falls.

Sentencing

Cole Mechanical Services Ltd of Ashbridge Road, Chesham, Buckinghamshire pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1)of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,995.

Accidents 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 .

Worker Injured after Being Struck by Concrete Skip

Image of debris in a yellow skip

A worker was struck by a concrete skip at a construction site in South London, leading to the site manager and a self-employed worker being fined for safety failings.

Incident & Injuries

27-year-old Ryan Musgrave told Woolwich Crown Court how he suffered a badly broken left leg, as well as fractures to his right ankle and several ribs during the incident at the Harris Academy in Welling, on 23rd February 2012.

The court heard how a 215kg empty concrete skip detached from an excavator, falling onto Mr Musgrave and leaving him to be unable to work for 17 months.

Investigation

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation into the incident and found there was no thorough examination certificate for the shackle on the excavator. The HSE investigation also found the shackle was faulty.

Sentencing

Site manager Christopher Crowley, of Dominion Drive, Collier Row in London was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,500, after admitting breaching Regulation 9(1)( a) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Michael Kernan, the self-employed construction worker of CYC Coastal Club was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000, after breaching Regulation 8(1) (c) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Speaking after the case HSE inspector Melvyn Stancliffe said:

“Mr Crowley should have taken the shackle on the excavator out of use when he inspected it two days before the incident as he had not seen a thorough examination report for it.

“The law is clear that lifting accessories must not be used unless they have been thoroughly examined in the previous six months and that there is a report available to prove that.

“Mr Kernan, an experienced construction worker, accepted that he did not fully screw in the pin on the shackle as he should have done and as a result it failed.

“Lifting accessories are not complex items but if they are not used properly or are not thoroughly examined periodically then the consequences can be serious. The practice known as ‘backing off’, unwinding the pin by a quarter of a turn, is not safe and shouldn’t be used.

“This case highlights the importance of ensuring simple checks are carried out properly and that equipment is used correctly”.

Accidents 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