Manufacturer fined £120k after worker became trapped between steel beams
A manufacturing company has been fined £120,000 following the death of a worker who became trapped between two heavy steel beams.
In May 2019, Steve Rooke, aged 55, worked at Mifflin Construction Ltd in Leominster, Herefordshire, who specialise in producing and installing steel components for the construction sector.
Rooke worked are the company for over 27 years and was operating an overhead travelling crane to manoeuvre the middle beam of a set of three, aiming to adjust its position on a trolley or ‘bogey’ that moved along rails within the workshop, when the incident happened.
The beam being lifted measured 18 meters in length and weighed 1,800 kilograms. During the lifting process, it pivoted unexpectedly in its sling, causing it to tip sideways and pin Rooke against another beam, resulting in fatal injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to ensure a suitable and sufficient risk assessment was conducted. They also didn’t give enough information, instructions, or training to workers about lifting things at the site and they didn’t plan lifts properly and didn’t have a system to ensure there were enough qualified supervisors around during lifting tasks.
HSE inspector Steve Richardson said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on March 4th, the company admitted to violating Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £120,000 and instructed to cover expenses totalling £50,000.
