£230k fine after lifting operation accident

Leicester Magistrates’ Court heard how on 3 December 2018, an employee suffered serious crushing injuries to his right hand during the lifting of a storage cage at Fairline Yachts manufacturing facility at Nene Valley Business Park, Oundle. As there was no goods lift in the manufacturing unit an overhead crane was used. As the cage was lifted it began to tip and fall in the direction of the employee. The cage trapped his hand against a boat trolley causing serious crushing injuries to the employee’s dominant right hand.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that the lifting operation was not properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner.

Fairline Yachts Limited of Nene Valley Business Park, Oundle pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £230,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,410.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Aaron Butel said, “When undertaking lifting operations involving lifting equipment companies should ensure that they are always properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.