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Mobile elevating platform hit by passing lorry
A York construction contractor and one of it’s employees have been prosecuted after after two men fell from a mobile elevated working platform (MEWP). The MEWP was sited at the side of the A19 without the necessary warning road signs to indicate that the working platform was projecting into the carriageway. Members of the public witnessed both men being seriously injured as they were thrown out of the platform onto the road side when their access platform was struck by a passing lorry. William Birch and Sons Ltd of Osbaldwick, York, was fined £12k and ordered to pay costs of £2.5k and employee Karl Thackrah was fined £2.5k and costs of £3.5.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Paul Robinson said: ”William Birch & Sons Ltd, had provided, training information and equipment for Mr Thackrah but it failed to ensure that the particular risks involved in the work at this location were adequately assessed and controlled. Their employee, Karl Thackrah, failed to take reasonable care while setting up and operating the platform.”