Engineering firm may face legal action after work accident

South Wales firm could face legal action after fine 2817

An engineering firm based in South Wales could face legal action from a self-employed electrician after he suffered serious injuries in a work accident.

Bridgend Magistrates heard today that an unnamed worker, who was at Dollcast as a contractor, was using a scissor lift to replace a set of lights in a fabrication workshop.

As he was installing a new bulb into the appliance he was struck by an overhead gantry crane, which was being operated by his colleague to move steel across the workshop.

The man's scissor lift was knocked to the floor, where he suffered serious injuries.

After being rushed to hospital by paramedics, the fitter was diagnosed with five broken ribs, lacerations to his elbow and bruising to his hip.

When it heard about the accident, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an investigation and sent members of its staff to the Dollcast plant in Pyle, near Bridgend in Wales.

Upon arrival inspectors found bosses had failed to make sure workers did their job in a manner that meant they would be protected from harm.

Additionally, it was discovered there was no attempt to isolate the gantry crane from its power supply, which would have prevented it being used while the contractor was fixing the lights.

Dollcast pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £9,671 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Lee Schilling said: "This was a serious incident and, in a fall of six metres, this worker was lucky not to have lost his life. It was also needless and avoidable.

"The incident could have easily been prevented if a simple, suitable system of work had been used by Dollcast, including the secure isolation of the overhead crane from its power supply."

Posted by Chris StevensonADNFCR-1500-ID-801599299-ADNFCR

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