Precast manufacturer in court after workers’ fall

Millbank Concrete Products fined for safety failings after support frame collapse injures four workers

AN Essex firm which makes precast concrete stairs has been fined for safety failings after four employees fell when a stair mould collapsed beneath them at the company premises in Earls Colne.

The workers suffered various injuries including bruising, a dislocated shoulder, a fractured right arm, a twisted ankle, plus knee and back pain following the incident on 7 August 2013. They have all since returned to work.

Milbank Concrete Products Ltd were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that the stair mould was inadequately supported during the work.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard that the employees were working on a new precast concrete staircase and standing on a supporting frame – known as a ‘ski-slope’ – which can be adjusted for height and angle depending on the specification of stairs.

As concrete was being poured into the mould to create the stairs, five props supporting the ski-slope collapsed, causing the four men to fall from heights ranging from one metre to three metres.

Milbank Concrete Products Ltd were fined £12,500 and ordered to pay £1,357 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Keith Waller, said: ‘This incident could have been more serious. It could also have been easily prevented if it had been properly planned, assessed for risks, and sufficient training given.

‘Having not carried out a proper risk assessment, Milbank Concrete Products therefore failed to have a safe system of work in place for the job and four workers were injured as a result.’