New safety warning issued after worker loses hand
December 13, 2007
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a health and safety warning after an employee lost the use of his hand.
Following the incident, which occurred in 2005, the HSE is calling upon firms to ensure that the correct safety precautions are in place and being observed in relation to employees working at height.
As a result of the accident, two firms were prosecuted and fined a total of £117,902, including costs.
"This incident could easily have been avoided if the companies had done a proper risk assessment to ensure adequate safety measures were in place," said Martin Giles, an inspector for the HSE.
"Unfortunately that did not happen here as there were no nets under the flooring, no rails around the edges and nothing to prevent people walking underneath," he added.
One of the firms was found to have breached Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the other was found to be in violation of Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Between 2006 and 2007, data released by the HSE shows that a total of 45 individuals died as a result of a fall from height at work.
Find out more about Working at Height.
Following the incident, which occurred in 2005, the HSE is calling upon firms to ensure that the correct safety precautions are in place and being observed in relation to employees working at height.
As a result of the accident, two firms were prosecuted and fined a total of £117,902, including costs.
"This incident could easily have been avoided if the companies had done a proper risk assessment to ensure adequate safety measures were in place," said Martin Giles, an inspector for the HSE.
"Unfortunately that did not happen here as there were no nets under the flooring, no rails around the edges and nothing to prevent people walking underneath," he added.
One of the firms was found to have breached Regulation 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the other was found to be in violation of Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Between 2006 and 2007, data released by the HSE shows that a total of 45 individuals died as a result of a fall from height at work.
Find out more about Working at Height.
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