Engineering firm fined after worker crushed to death
Cannock-based company prosecuted by HSE after employee killed while working on wheel loader
A CANNOCK engineering firm has been fined £40,000 after an employee was crushed to death while working on a plant vehicle.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Hydraline Engineering Ltd following the death of employee Mark Palmer on 7 March 2008.
Hydraline carry out modifications to construction equipment such as excavators and wheel loaders, and Mr Palmer was working on a wheel loader when the incident took place.
While working under the loading arms of the wheel loader, the vehicle’s hydraulic system lost pressure. This caused the arms to fall, fatally crushing Mr Palmer against the vehicle frame.
Stafford Crown Court heard how Hydraline had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, which meant there were insufficient control measures in place to stop the arms falling in the event of a loss of hydraulic pressure.
The HSE investigation also found Hydraline had given Mr Palmer insufficient training with regard to the risks when working with hydraulic machinery. Instead, he had picked up knowledge while on the job.
Hydraline Engineering pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 costs.
HSE inspector Wayne Owen said: ‘It is a tragedy for Mr Palmer’s family that his death could have been prevented if Hydraline Engineering Ltd had taken the time to properly consider the risks.
‘When carrying out work under hydraulically supported loads, it is vital that a thorough risk assessment is carried out beforehand and that suitable control measures are taken to minimize the significant dangers created by this type of work.
‘Had the company provided a suitable load-tested support device, this would, in conjunction with a safe system of work, have stopped the loading arm falling on to Mr Palmer – and prevented his death.’
A CANNOCK engineering firm has been fined £40,000 after an employee was crushed to death while working on a plant vehicle.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Hydraline Engineering Ltd following the death of employee Mark Palmer on 7 March 2008.
Hydraline carry out modifications to construction equipment such as excavators and wheel loaders, and Mr Palmer was working on a wheel loader when the incident took place.
While working under the loading arms of the wheel loader, the vehicle’s hydraulic system lost pressure. This caused the arms to fall, fatally crushing Mr Palmer against the vehicle frame.
Stafford Crown Court heard how Hydraline had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, which meant there were insufficient control measures in place to stop the arms falling in the event of a loss of hydraulic pressure.
The HSE investigation also found Hydraline had given Mr Palmer insufficient training with regard to the risks when working with hydraulic machinery. Instead, he had picked up knowledge while on the job.
Hydraline Engineering pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 costs.
HSE inspector Wayne Owen said: ‘It is a tragedy for Mr Palmer’s family that his death could have been prevented if Hydraline Engineering Ltd had taken the time to properly consider the risks.
‘When carrying out work under hydraulically supported loads, it is vital that a thorough risk assessment is carried out beforehand and that suitable control measures are taken to minimize the significant dangers created by this type of work.
‘Had the company provided a suitable load-tested support device, this would, in conjunction with a safe system of work, have stopped the loading arm falling on to Mr Palmer – and prevented his death.’
