Company fined after employee falls – 07-01-2009
The Health and Safety Executive is warning employers to manage risks posed by falls following a prosecution of Oil & Gas Systems Ltd (OGSL).
James Barker, an agency worker, was asked to go up on to a skid working platform to touch up some paintwork, prior to it being shipped out to a customer. He subsequently fell through an aperture and broke his pelvis in two places.
The subsequent HSE investigation identified that OGSL’s manager at their Gorseinon site warned him to take care, as there were holes in the floor created by the removal of some panels. This was to allow for the skid to be picked up by a crane soon after. This meant that the company were aware of the risk, but had not put in place any measures to mitigate this.
Oil & Gas Systems Ltd, whose registered office is in Ely (Cambridge), pleaded guilty at Swansea Magistrates’ Court to a charge under The Work at Height Regulations 2005, and were fined £3,500 and ordered to pay costs of £2,457.80.
HSE Inspector Scott McKinnon said:
“Falls from height remain a major cause of workplace injuries, with falls from below or around head height contributing to around 80 per cent of all falls injuries. It is not necessary to fall far to land hard.
“Our investigation determined that the panels should not have been removed prior to asking Mr Barker to work on the platform, and that his injuries – caused by a fall of over two metres, were avoidable”
Source: Abeceder
Cereal success for TB Davies’ Sherpascopic
TB Davies was commissioned by a leading cereal manufacturer to provide a compliant working at height solution within the factory. The Edwardian building poses a number of limitations for safely accessing machinery and plant for cleaning and maintenance.
The cereal runs along a series of conveyor belts, suspended from the ceiling, 3m above floor level. With production run changes the conveyor belts need to be thoroughly cleaned, to avoid cross contamination The previous method of work involved cleaning staff climbing onto the belt with a vacuum cleaner, brushes and dry mops – on hands and knees. All without any edge protection.
Sherpascopic saves the day
The site visit revealed the Summit Sherpascopic Work Platform as the most suitable solution – with a safe enclosed work zone, full guardrail and toe-boards. The adjustable legs & outriggers allow for variable heights, plus it folds away for straightforward storage and transport.
The cleaning staff tried the Sherpascopic and found they could safely and easily reach 95% of the conveyor belt. A longer hose was purchased for the vacuum cleaner to reach the last 5%.
For more information contact TB Davies on 029 2071 3011 or info@tbdavies.co.uk
Breast Cancer Awareness Day – October 29th, 2007
[Pictured below, the staff who remembered to wear pink, and those brave enough to have their picture taken!]
Thanks to everyone who donated money for breast cancer. We managed to raise £91.16, which the company matched so we have a grand total of £182.32. And a big thank you to Vicky for making two wonderful cakes which I hope you all enjoyed. Amy
