Global steel firm fined after accident injury

A global steel firm has been fined after two workers were seriously injured when a warehouse door collapsed on them.

Employees at Corus, renamed Tata Steel UK Ltd, were repairing a roller shutter door at the Workington business when the pillar supporting the door gave way, injuring the workers.

Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the company was found to have made an unsuitable risk assessment, which caused two workers to sustain badly broken legs.

Moreover, one of the employees, 51-year-old Anthony Ryecroft, also experienced head and shoulder injuries, preventing him from working for 15 months.

Tata Steel UK Ltd admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £13,300 and ordered to pay £11,631 in prosecution costs.

Investigating inspector at HSE, Mike Griffiths, commented: "These two workers have suffered major injuries, with long term effects to their lives, because their employer didn't do enough to make sure they stayed safe.”

To ensure workers are safe, employees should plan for every eventuality, including providing back-up equipment in case there is a malfunction.

Published by Kevin Round