A recent case from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) places significance on putting preventative measures in place so that incidences do not occur. After an individual and a company were fined following a worker suffering serious injuries during dismantling an external platform lift at a college.
The investigation, carried out by the HSE, found that The Platform Lift Company was contracted to disassemble an external lift shaft at Alton College, to allow building works to be carried out, providing ramped access for wheelchair users. The work was also sub-contracted to premier lift solutions where Davey Marcus was a director at the time.
The companies failed to ensure dismantling of an external platform lift was undertaken without risks of persons falling or structural collapse. It was clear that a thorough risk assessment had not been carried out prior to the work being undertaken.
As a result, Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 31 August 2017, a worker was seriously injured whist working on this particular external lift shaft. Whilst carrying out the work, a heavy component of the lift fell to the ground and the worker toppled with it. The worker suffered life changing injuries that resulted in him being paralysed and needed permanent use of a wheelchair.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Dominic Goacher made a statement saying: “Neither party adequately planned the work and failed to identify suitable control measures such as scaffold to prevent falls”.
“If a suitable safe system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented.”
The Platform Lift Company, Millside House, Anton Mill Road, Andover, Hampshire was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,104.50 after pleading guilty to breaching a single charge of section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Also, Mr Davey Marcus, Windsor Avenue, Whitehead, County Antrim was fined £480 and ordered to pay costs of £1,000 after pleading guilty to two charges of Regulations 20(1) and 20(2) of Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015.
The important point to stress here, is that the responsibilities for Health and Safety dp not just lie with the company but also with the Directors. If you have any queries regarding health and safety, leadership responsibilities, dealing with contractors or training including carrying out risk assessments, please get in touch with one of the team on 01924 827869.
