23-year-old Steven Allen was killed when workers tried to use a block grab to move cement bags, which were stacked on a pallet at a Manningham, Bradford, construction site. While moving the load, the bags fell but the pallet remained in the jaws of the grab. When Mr Allen pulled it free the grab’s jaws dropped and clamped around his head, causing massive crush injuries. He died in hospital the next day.
HSE investigation found that the grab was being used against the manufacturer’s instructions and it was not suitable for the job.
Pressure group Families Against Corporate Killers (FACK) said “None of the very basic, reasonably practicable measures were in place, and Steven’s death would have been prevented if a block grab was not being used for a purpose the manual prohibited.
Mr Allen’s employer JN Bentley Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching s2(1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £106,250 and ordered to pay £90,000 in costs.
Legal note:
- Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires an employer “to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees”
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