These days there are many ways in which firms can reduce the risk of worker accidents occurring and health and safety courses, effective risk assessments and so on play an important part in this. By ensuring they invest in such measures, companies can minimise the dangers experienced by their personnel.
However, enterprises do not always do all that is required of them and in such cases, they can be subject to legal action.
For example, a bus manufacturer was recently fined £50,000 as a result of breaching health and safety laws. Alexander Dennis was issued the punishment during a hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court. The case relates to 56-year-old worker Samuel Murray, who suffered physical damage when a bus floor platform slipped while being lifted into position.
He had requested a forklift truck driver to lift and transport the platform, which weighed nearly 120 kilograms, from the goods yard to the welding bays in the chassis shop. The truck driver placed a sling underneath and around the load so it could be manoeuvred onto the chassis.
Mr Murray, helped by two colleagues, began to line up the platform and chassis when one end of the sling came loose, causing it to swing up and strike him on the chin. He suffered a deep cut, which required stitches. Also, he needed emergency dental treatment for broken teeth and was off work for ten weeks.
Remarking on the case, Health and Safety Executive inspector Matthew Ramsey said: “This incident was entirely foreseeable, and if Alexander Dennis had taken simple steps to identify the hazards in carrying out this routine lifting task, would never have happened.”
While undergoing health and safety courses and implementing risk assessments costs firms a little money upfront, it can save cash and prevent much suffering in the long term.