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Excavator toppled from ramp trapping and suffocating experienced fitter
Leiths Scotland Limited, a company specialising in quarrying operations, general construction activities and civil engineering, has been fined £96k after a fitter was fatally crushed whilst working beneath an 5 tonne excavator
On 21 November 2008 Arthur Jamieson, aged 58, was working beneath the vehicle raised on a ramp. The rear wheels were inadequately secured and he was crushed when the vehicle rolled from the ramp.
He was suffocated as a result of a wheel compressing his chest.
System of support not properly planned
HSE investigation concluded that the company failed to provide adequate information, instruction, training and supervision to Mr Jamieson who had not previously carried out the task.
He was expected to establish his own method of raising and supporting the vehicle above the ground and left to organise suitable blocks without direct supervision or suitable instructions.
HSE Inspector Norman Buchanan said:
“This tragic incident should have been avoided. Although Arthur Jamieson was undoubtedly an experienced mobile plant fitter, he had not previously carried out this particular task for this firm. He should have received adequate information, training and supervision. It is wholly unacceptable that his employers left him unsupervised to devise his own means of working on such a risky repair job.”