In May 2007, a tragic accident occurred at a recycling company when an employee was struck by a crane hook weighing nearly 4 tonnes. John Penhalagan of Bridgend, suffered fatal head injuries from the hook carrying ladles of molten steel, and later died at the University Hospital of Wales.
Celsa Manufacturing (UK) of Castle Works, Cardiff pleaded guilty to breaching its duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £200,000. It was also ordered to pay costs of £36,294.
The investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that, although there was no mechanical defect with the crane, the hooks were able to move at head height near to operators on the ground without adequate safeguards.
After sentencing, HSE inspector Stephen Jones said: "This was a horrific incident - an extremely heavy, moving piece of equipment was able to strike Mr Penghalagan directly in the head because Celsa Manufacturing didn't have safe systems of work in place."
"The system of work did not enable crane operators at the site to clearly see employees working on the ground, putting them at serious risk of being struck by moving objects.”
"Celsa should have put in place a thorough risk assessment and most importantly acted upon that assessment, given the generally hazardous nature of this type of operation - but sadly the plans in place were just not adequate and led to this man's terrible death."
