Express Reinforcements Ltd was fined £75,000 (€111,400) last week at Guildford Crown Court for breaches of health and safety legislation. The company has also been ordered to pay nearly £11,000 (€16,300) in costs.
On 11 March 2004, a 39-year-old man suffered multiple injuries after he was crushed against a metal bench by a crawler crane as it slewed round during a lift at Ford Water Trading Estate.
The accident left Brian Bennett with cuts, grazes, deep lacerations and a broken arm.
Express Reinforcements pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The company was fined for the breach of Section 2(1), but no additional fine was levied for the breach of Section 3(1) due to the similarities of the charges.
Andrew Christian, HM Inspector of Health and Safety, said: “This incident occurred because the work, using a crane to lift a load, was not adequately planned for and the lifting equipment was not positioned to ensure a clear work area.”
He continued: “It is vital that all lifting operations are planned for, appropriately supervised, and carried out safely by a competent person.
“Employers must ensure that safe systems of work are identified for all operations and that those involved, whether they are employees or contractors, are aware of these systems and follow them.”
He also points out that in this case, a control of contractors procedure had been identified, but at the time of the incident it was not being followed.
