The Net’s Most Wanteds

In June 2009, a worker of AB Waste Management Ltd, a company based in Black Country, fell from the height of three meters when the guard rail broke away. He was cleaning a crushing machine at Junction Works, Cemetery Road, Darlaston and by sheer luck, he was saved from falling under it and dying. However, the fall broke his spine in two places. He also received quite a few deep cuts in his head that needed skin grafting.

AB Waste Management Ltd was prosecuted by the HSE, and the case was heard by the Walsall & Aldridge Magistrates Court. The court ordered the company to pay a fine of £12,000 and pay costs of £1,836 for the infringement of Regulation 5 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 after the company pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the HSE Inspector, Gardabil Singh Tiwana, the company had failed to maintain security at the work site. Though the worker did not die due to luck, the accident happened due to the fault of the company in not maintaining the guard rails. The company had put in safety precautions but it was pointless because the lack of maintenance made it completely worthless. The companies have an obligation to make sure that the guard supplied work properly. This requires checking them regularly and keeping them up do date.

All employers have a duty of care towards ensuring health and safety of the workers and members of the public; courses leading to the NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health are designed to help those with health and safety responsibilities to carry out their duties at work more effectively and to protect the organisations for which they work. Click NEBOSH General Certificate to learn more on the management of safety and health.