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MODIFIED PODIUM STEPS LED TO WORKER’S 2 M FALL

A company has been fined after a worker fell two metres when the podium steps he was working on toppled over.

An employee was welding metal components while working at height on a set of podium steps which had been taken from another factory when the accident happened in November 2017. The steps toppled over, causing the worker to fall about two metres to the floor and fracture two vertebrae.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that internal procedures had not been followed, and the company had failed to carry out a risk assessment nor determine a safe system of work.

In addition, the podium steps had been modified with the addition of incorrect feet, contrary to the manufacturers’ instructions. Stabiliser bars had not been fitted and workers had not been trained in their correct use.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching reg 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations. It was fined £54,000 and ordered to pay costs £1,544 in costs.

HSE inspector said the wholly avoidable incident was caused by the failure of the company to adequately plan its work, and put basic safeguards in place.

“The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance in order to select and correctly assemble access equipment, along with implementing the necessary training, instruction and supervision to prevent such falls occurring,” “Podium steps are a recognised safe solution for working at height however, if they are used incorrectly, they can become a danger themselves.” https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2020/02/18/modified-podium-steps-led-workers-2-m-fall

LADDER FALL LANDS PC WITH £1.1M PENALTY

A principal contractor has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an engineer lost half his bloodstream when he fell almost three metres from an extension ladder.

 The worker was testing a sprinkler system for leaks at a site in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire when the incident happened on 5 September 2016. He climbed onto an internal roof and was inspecting the leak from an extension ladder. The ladder slipped and he fell between the internal roof and the external wall. He suffered severe blood loss, amounting to around half of his bloodstream. He required a blood transfusion and needed 14 stitches to his head. He also sustained a fractured vertebrae and suffered soft tissue damage.

HSE investigators discovered that the principal contractor for the job, had failed to take reasonably practicable measures to prevent a fall from the internal roof for both the engineer and other contractors working on the roof.

Luton Crown Court was told that Modus had failed to discharge its duty to ensure those not in their employment were not exposed to risks, in particular that of falling from height.

Following a five-week trial, the principle contractor – which had a turnover of £96 million in 2018 – was fined £1.1 million plus costs of £68,000 after it was found guilty of breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Speaking after the sentencing, HSE inspector said the case highlights the importance of taking reasonably practicable measures when planning and managing the risks regarding work at height within the construction industry.

‘The engineer’s injuries were life-changing and he could have easily been killed,’ he added. ‘This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safety measures had been put in place.’

https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2020/05/29/ladder-fall-lands-pc-ps11m-penalty

“Being present in the moment”

It is quite often the case that we have too much on our minds and are only 50% conscious of our surroundings and what is going on!

Have a look at this video and see if you can count how many times the ball is passed between the white team?

The video is attached walking bear.