Halifax worker left disabled by crush injuries 19 February 2013

Elland Steel Structures has been fined £8,000 plus £20,000 costs for serious safety failings, after a worker was left with life-threatening injuries when a 6.5 tonne steel beam fell onto his back.

Mark Priestley, 34, was pinned against a skip by the beam at the Halifax factory on 31 January 2011, and its weight crushed his spine and torso, leaving him with irreversible spinal and nerve damage.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Priestley had been working with a colleague to weld pin connections to the 23m long beam, which had to be rotated during the process, using chain slings.

HSE believes that one or both of the chain slings next to the beam had snagged it as it was about to be lifted for slinging. As the chain was being raised, it caught the beam, which toppled sideways onto Priestley's back.

The court was told the company had failed to assess the risks for lifting operations so they were not properly planned or supervised. The chain slings and technique used were also unsuitable for the load.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Geoff Fletcher said: "What happened was devastating for Mr Priestley and his family... The incident could have been avoided had Elland Steel fulfilled its responsibilities to fully assess the risks involved with this heavy lifting, and then put measures in place to mitigate those risks."

Latest statistics from HSE for 2011/12 show that there were 31 deaths, more than 3,400 major injuries and some14,000 minor injuries recorded in the manufacturing sector.

Brian Tinham

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Health & Safety Executive

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