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Lorry-trailer building company fined after employee severely crushed
Manchester Crown Court heard that on 13th March 2008, David Jones was helping to move a stack of 6.7metre-long metal strips onto a trailer in Broadheath, near Altrincham, when the stack and lifting beam, weighing a total of 2.2 tonnes, fell onto him from the forks of a forklift truck. Mr Jones broke 12 ribs, his back in four places and a shoulder blade. He also suffered a punctured lung, bruised heart and stomach injuries.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of its employees. It was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £18,315 towards the cost of the prosecution.
Richard Clarke, HSE Inspector, said, "One of S Cartwright and Sons' workers was seriously injured because the company did not do enough to protect the safety of its employees. Mr Jones is still in constant pain and the incident could have killed him. The company regularly requires its employees to unload long stacks of metal strips, which are used to build the trailers for lorries. But, at the time of the incident, it did not provide suitable training or written guidance for its staff to handle long loads".
Mr Clarke added, "Manufacturing companies can be dangerous places to work if the risks are not properly managed. It's vital that good health and safety measures are put in place to prevent workers from being injured".
In Great Britain last year, there were 32 deaths and more than 22,400 serious injuries in the manufacturing sector.
Filed by Jessica Man © 2010 - Legal Advice Helpline
Published 09/03/2010
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