A company who specialise in metal and alloy products have been fined following the death of a worker when he was struck by a load on a moving crane.
Mr Nigel Hall was assisting in the moving of a crucible from a re-melt furnace. During the operation the crane operator noticed Mr Hall in the path of the crucible. The operator shouted to warn Mr Hall whilst stopping the cranes movement, but as the crane came to a stop the load swung forward and hit Mr Hall on the head. Mr Hall was taken to Northern General hospital where he was pronounced dead.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had not reviewed the risk assessments and safe systems of work for nine years. Many of their employees who operated cranes had received no refresher training in the last six years and the training programme for new starters was deemed inadequate.
HSE Inspector Carol Downes said: "This loss of life could have been entirely prevented. Employers have a duty to ensure safe systems of work are continually reviewed when there are significant changes in the way work is carried out. Working practices should be clear, safe and properly communicated to employees."
ATI Speciality Materials Limited were fined a total of £160,000 with costs of £72,321 after pleading guilty to offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations SI 1999/3242.
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