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Fall of heavy component during assembly reveals system failure
Eimco Water Technologies Ltd of Colchester, Essex, has been ordered to pay over £15k in fines and prosecution costs after a workman suffered fractures to his pelvis.
The incident occured in July 2008 at Marchwood Power Station Construction site, in Hampshire. The workman was assembling components of a steel lock gate used to isolate or control the flow of water to the plant.
Each components weighed approximately 2,000 kgs and they were positioned some 0.5m above the ground on motor vehicle axle stands. One component became unstable and fell on the workman.
The court was told that investigators found: the risks had not been assessed; company assembly instructions were not followed and unsuitable equipment was being used.
HSE Inspector James Powell, said: “This incident could have been avoided if the company had taken all necessary steps to ensure that not only were their working practices effective but that they also followed them”.