Men Fall Five Metres After Overhead Crane Knocked Them Off A Truck

Two men suffered serious injuries when they fell five metres to the ground at a site in Manston, Kent.

The 45 and 47-year-olds - who wish to remain anonymous - were working for Leicestershire-based company CEVA Logistics when the accident occurred in 2013.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the workers had used a truck to raise them off the floor, allowing them to take aerial photographs of the painting work they had been doing on the ground.

However, as they did so, an overhead crane collided with them, sending them hurtling to the floor.

One of the men sustained a fractured elbow, 11 broken teeth, a broken jaw and broken pelvis. He has required reconstructive surgery on his jaw and can no longer fully straighten his arm.

Meanwhile, his colleague escaped with less serious injuries, although he did suffer whiplash, a gashed leg and a nasty head wound.

The company was fined £10,000 after admitting to safety failings during a hearing at Margate Magistrates' Court.

Falls from height accounted for nearly one-third of all reported occupational fatalities in the UK last year and the HSE is keen to rectify this problem. In many cases, falls occur when employees are not given adequate training or supervision and when the work has not been thoroughly planned.

In the incident involving CEVA Logistics, the health and safety regulator found that the firm had not devised a safe system to complete the task and the workers were not supervised effectively.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Robert Hassell commented: "One of the two employees received life-changing injuries - the injuries to his left arm and face will always be with him. But there could have been even graver consequences of what was a preventable fall.

"Regardless of the size and duration of tasks undertaken, it is essential companies have suitable systems of work to safeguard their employees."

Expert Opinion

This incident truly highlights the horrendous injuries that can occur if health and safety is not taken seriously by an employer. On this particular occasion, CEVA Logistics had not given the employees the appropriate systems to complete the task safely and it seems the workers were not supervised correctly, which is an unacceptable failing. <br/> <br/>“Falls from height account for nearly one-third of occupational fatalities and in this particular fall, although the injuries were extremely serious, the outcome could have been fatal. <br/> <br/>“We see far too often the devastating injuries that can happen at work when health and safety is either not adhered to. Hopefully this will prove to be a wake-up call for businesses that health and safety is imperative to protect your employees, or people will continue to be seriously injured.” <br/> <br/>