Company Fined £130,000 After Industrial Accident

Boal UK Ltd, in Shepshed, a company that produces aluminium products, has been fined more than £130,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,346, after one of its workers was involved in an industrial accident.

The worker and four of his colleagues were involved with carrying out maintenance on a machine by replacing a part, in May of last year. He was tasked with the operation of an overhead crane to position the spare part to be fitted within the machine.

The spare part unfortunately fell onto him striking him on his hand and leg. Due to the severities of the injury to his hand, the worker had to have the tops of three fingers amputated. He also suffered a serious leg injury (fractured tibia).

The case was heard at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, where it was found that no risk assessment had been carried out for the task and that the employees had not been adequately trained. The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at the first opportunity and engaged with the Health and Safety Executive to investigate index incident.

The worker was able to recover and returned to work and remains a valued member of the company.

Employers have a responsibility to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Employers must do whatever is reasonably practicable to achieve this, whether this is to provide PPE, relevant training, etc.

Further reading

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