HSE warns of dangers of improper training on machinery as North Wales firm fined - 7 March 2007

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning to employers on the need to train their staff on the proper use of machinery after a North Wales worker was paralysed.

SFJ Ltd, of Bangor, were fined £15,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,500 at Caernarfon Crown Court following the incident in February 2005 in which Clive Forbes of Colwyn Bay received his injuries.

HSE inspector Debbie John said: “This was a tragic set of circumstances which led to this accident, but it demonstrates how important it is to be properly trained to use machinery or any kind.”

Every year, around 70 people are killed, and a further 2000 injured as a result of incidents involving vehicles at work. The most common vehicle accidents at work are caused by:

• people being hit by vehicles
• people falling from vehicles
• objects falling from vehicles on to people
• vehicles toppling over

She added: “HSE is also currently running a campaign on the dangers of falling from height, and this case once again provides a reminder that it can be extremely dangerous to fall even from a relatively low height.”

Mr Forbes was assisting with the unloading of a cement mixer from the back of a pick up truck. His supervisor was not adequately trained to operate a 360o excavator being used to lift the cement mixer from the vehicle carrying it. Mr Forbes was lifted into the air with the cement mixer, he fell and sustained injuries which led to the paralysis.

At an earlier hearing, the company admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, relating to an employer's responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees.

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