Important Safety Lessons To Be Learned, Workplace Injury Expert Warns

By Rob Dixon

A workplace injury lawyer has called on employers to ensure they are making a concerted effort to keep workers safe from the potential risks of falling objects at work, after a Preston company was fined over an incident in which a member of staff was struck by a 400kg plastic bale.

Preston Plastics Ltd was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs in relation to the incident in August 2011 when a cube of recycled plastic toppled from a forklift which was transporting it and hit the worker.

The 26-year-old suffered a fractured spine in the incident and an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found firm had failed to plan the lifting operation properly so that work could be undertaken safely.

Sally Rissbrook, a lawyer who specialises in accident at work claims at Irwin Mitchell, said it is vital lessons are learned from such incidents to ensure efforts can be made to improve health and safety.

She outlined: “This is a worrying case which shows why we, along with our clients whose lives have been devastated by the injuries they have suffered in work accidents, continue to call for employers to recognise their need to plan operations properly and safely.

“Proper supervision and planning is so important, particularly in the waste and recycling sector which is often highlighted by HSE data as among one of the most dangerous sectors with high fatality and injury rate.

“The risks of falling objects at work need to be managed properly and with care. We would urge all employers in this industry to recognise the safety issues raised in this case and ensure improvements are made for the better.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Falling Object claims