Importance of managing safely courses highlighted by water firm fine

Category: IOSH Managing Safely
Wednesday 3rd of March 2010

A water treatment company has been fined after one of its workers was seriously injured in an accident at a treatment plant.

Managing safely courses may receive further enquiries from businesses following the news that Northumbrian Water has been fined £17,000 plus costs by Lowestoft Magistrates' Court.

Worker Robert Ayres was seriously injured when he became trapped between the cab and loading bucket on a construction vehicle, spending three days in intensive care as a result of his injuries

He had been driving a Bobcat skid steer loader when he got out and accidently pressed the control to raise the bucket. It was found that a device which should have prevented this was not working.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Richard Hines, who investigated the incident, said: "It was a simple example of faulty equipment and insufficient training creating a potential disaster."

The industry body produces guidelines relating to the type of vehicle involved and advises installing an interlock that will prevent unexpected operation of the arms or tilt mechanism.

Posted by Lorna Shearer

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