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All involved pay penalty for poor planning of lifting...
All involved pay penalty for poor planning of lifting operation
A failure to conduct proper risk assessment, plan, and devise and implement adequate safety procedures in lifting operations can have implications for all those involved. Such a story unfolded at Calderdale Magistrates' Court last week when Rence Engineering Services Ltd of Brighouse faced prosecution over an accident in which an employee lost his lower leg.
The injured man was assisting an operator who was using a forklift truck to lift and turn a fabrication at the company's site at Royd Business Park on 14th September 2005 when the fabrication fell and landed on his right leg.
Rence was fined a total of £4,000 plus costs of £1,261, having pleaded guilty to failing to meet the requirements of r.8(1)¹ and 9(3)² of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
¹ r.8(1) - every employer shall ensure that every lifting operation involving lifting equipment is:
a) properly planned by a competent person;
b) appropriately supervised; and
c) carried out in a safe manner.
² r.9(3) - every employer shall ensure that lifting equipment which is exposed to conditions causing deterioration which is liable to result in dangerous situations is:
a) thoroughly examined -
i) in case of lifting equipment for lifting persons or an accessory for lifting, at least every 6 months;
ii) in the case of other lifting equipment, at least every 12 months; or
iii) in either case, in accordance with an examination scheme; and
iv) each time that exceptional circumstances which are liable to jeopardise the safety of the lifting equipment have occurred; and
b) if appropriate for the purpose, is inspected by a competent person at suitable intervals between thorough examinations, to ensure that health and safety conditions are maintained and that any deterioration can be detected and remedied in good time.
Comment:
"By taking a little more time to plan it safely this accident was entirely foreseeable and preventable. Accidents involving objects falling from lifting equipment are sadly all too common and, as in this case, the results are often disastrous for the individuals involved.
Employers have a duty to do all they can to prevent such accidents by assessing the risks beforehand, making sure the work is planned and safety measures are adequate. Anybody using lifting equipment should be properly trained and all equipment should be checked and well-maintained by a competent engineer. Anyone working with fork-lifts or lifting equipment in general should never underestimate the risks." - HSE Inspector.
19.09.06
