Aluminium manufacturer receives six figure fine after worker crushed
Bridgnorth Aluminium Limited, a manufacturer of rolled aluminium products, has been fined after a worker was crushed by a 1.5-tonne hydraulic arm.
On 10 May 2023, the worker was carrying out preparation work for the casting of aluminium blocks from molten metal. While kneeling inside a casting mould and wearing heat-resistant protective clothing to insert ceramic string around its edges, the hydraulic launder arm positioned above the mould, which is used to transport molten aluminium around the foundry, suddenly fell onto him. It is believed the exterior temperature of the launder arm was around 100°C.
The worker was trapped for three minutes before the mould floor was lowered to relieve the pressure, and it took a further 19 minutes before the hydraulic arm could be lifted to allow his recovery. The injuries sustained have had a severe and lasting impact on his daily life, preventing him from returning to work.
An HSE investigation found that the arm fell due to hydraulic failure. Although a safety bar had been installed to prevent such incidents, it was not fit for purpose.
The investigation concluded that the company had failed to adequately assess the risk of hydraulic arm failure and had not implemented a safe system of work to protect employees working beneath it.
Breaches
Bridgnorth Aluminium Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974:
- Section 2(1) applies a duty on every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees.
Penalty
Bridgnorth Aluminium Ltd was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay £8,301 in costs.
Drainage engineer death leads to £800,000 fine for utility company
A utility and infrastructure company has been fined £800,000 following the death of a drainage engineer who was struck by a jetting hose while at work.
On 10 December 202, a drainage engineer was struck at high speed by the end of a jetting hose while it was being primed in temperatures of approximately -3 to -4 degrees Celsius.
Water was being filled into the jetting system prior to jetting. The end of the hose had been suspended in an inspection chamber when a sudden pressure release, believed to have resulted from a build-up of ice in the system, caused the hose to strike the engineer.
The worker was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma but passed a few weeks later.
An HSE investigation identified several serious failings, including:
- No safe system of work outlining how priming of the jetting system should be carried out safely;
- Failure to maintain work equipment in an efficient state, with several other jetting vehicles found to have defective vices;
- Failure to monitor the use of physical control measures in place; and
- Insufficient information, instruction, training and supervision provided to employees.
During the HSE investigation, the Water Jetting Association, released a safety alert reminding operators of the importance of restraining or anchoring the end of the jetting hose in cold weather.
Breaches
Lanes Group Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Penalty
The company was fined £800,000, reduced from £1.2 million due to the early guilty plea, and ordered to pay £8,680 in full costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
London contractor sentenced for breaching HSE prohibition notice
A construction contractor has received a suspended sentence and a fine after ignoring an HSE notice.
On 7 September 2018, HSE inspectors visited the Willesden Lane site in North London and found unplanned, unsupervised and unsafe work that placed people at serious risk of injury.
Workers were observed on the roof without any protective measures, putting them at risk of falling from height. Unplanned and unsafe demolition work had also left parts of the building structurally unstable and at risk of collapse.
Following the inspection, the HSE issued a prohibition notice against the contractor. The man ignored the notice and the unsafe work continued. He also failed to attend court, resulting in a warrant for his arrest. The man was subsequently arrested and has now been sentenced.
Breaches
The man pleaded guilty to committing an offence under Section 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974:
- Section 33(1)(g) makes it an offence to any requirement or prohibition imposed by an improvement notice or a prohibition notice.
Penalty
The man was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months and is to complete 200 hours of unpaid work as well as 10 days of rehabilitation. He was also ordered to pay £12,151 in costs.
|
