An engineering company has been fined £100,000 after a worker was crushed to death at a factory near Pontypridd.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the firm after a forty-four year old shift co-ordinator was crushed by a falling crate of aluminium car parts, while working overtime.
The father-of-three from Porth was working alone in the heat treatment area of the factory on the evening of 10 November 2006, but was fatally injured when the wire rope hoist that was supporting a suspended crate of parts failed, causing it to fall upon him.
On the night of the incident, a metal basket containing aluminium brake parts was being hoisted into a furnace for high temperature treatment. The crane raised and lowered its cargo by extending and shortening a wire rope. However, the rope supporting the weight snapped, and the basket landed on top of the worker.
The court heard that after the company relocated in May 2005, the hoist mechanism was reassembled at the new premises. The HSE investigation found the firm failed to ensure the hoist was examined by a qualified specialist after reassembly, and was done without first conducting a suitable risk assessment.
Following the incident, it was discovered that the wire rope had broken, as it had been seriously damaged from rubbing against the frame. The safety devices on the hoist were also incorrectly adjusted.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 9(2)(b) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
They were fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £75,000.
HSE inspector, Janet Viney said: “This tragic incident that has left a family without a father could have been easily prevented had the failed hoist been thoroughly examined when it was moved from one factory to another.
"If a competent person had examined the hoist, the changes which were made to accommodate its new position would have been recognised and the safety mechanisms would have been adjusted.”
Santia provides expert support to employers and property managers to ensure they comply with health and safety legislation. We undertake general health and safety risk assessments of the workplace or demised areas, as well as task or hazard specific risk assessments for areas such as Working at Heights, Young Persons, DSE, Manual Handling, and much more. Further details can be found at www.santia.co.uk
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