Employee suffers life changing injuries as a result of lorry crane with severe defects

Defects on crane leads to life changing injuries 

On 25th August 2016 an employee of R K United LTD which is now dissolved was using a lorry crane to deliver soil to a new house for a customer. As he was completing the delivery, he brought the crane arm down and his left arm was impaled on a spike which was protruding from the vehicle. As a result of the injury his several bones in his arm were shattered. 

The company director at the time was brought to Leeds Magistrates Court to be sentenced following the incident for safety breaches. On investigation the HSE found that the crane had severe defects which included a disabled safety system, cut off safety guards around the controls which resulted in the spike which impaled his arm. As well as the faults on the vehicle the employee who suffered the life changing injuries had never completed the appropriate training to operate the lorry loader crane.  

The former Company director, Hafeez Ghafoor pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37 of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. 

What does this mean for your business?  

This highlights the responsibility as an employer you have when it comes to health and safety and your employees. Want to learn more about how we can support your business with Health and Safety contact our team today here. 

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