The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited, a Redditch-based manufacturing firm, has been fined £40,000 after an employee sustained twelve fractured ribs in a serious workplace incident. The 36-year-old worker was injured on 24 June 2024 when a 500kg pillar drill fell during a lifting operation at the company’s site in Worcestershire.
Unstable 500kg pillar drill caused serious workplace injury
The incident occurred at the company’s Enfield Industrial Estate premises when the employee was assisting with the movement of a newly acquired pillar drill. A forklift truck was being used to lift the substantial piece of machinery, but during the operation, the drill became unstable. It subsequently toppled, striking the worker and causing significant, life-altering injuries. The severity of the impact resulted in multiple rib fractures, highlighting the inherent dangers of poorly managed heavy lifting tasks.
An investigation was launched by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident. Their findings revealed critical failings in the company’s health and safety procedures. Specifically, the HSE determined that The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited had neglected to conduct a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks associated with the lifting operation. This fundamental oversight meant that potential hazards were not identified or mitigated before the task commenced.
Furthermore, the investigation uncovered that the lifting operation had not been properly planned by a competent person, a requirement for ensuring safety when handling heavy loads. The company also failed to provide appropriate supervision for the task, nor was the operation carried out in a safe manner. These cumulative breaches of safety protocols directly contributed to the instability of the pillar drill and the subsequent injury to their employee.
The Health and Safety Executive provides guidance and an approved code of practice for employers and duty holders responsible for controlling lifting equipment. This resource outlines the essential steps for planning, supervising, and executing lifting operations safely, emphasising the need for thorough risk assessments and the involvement of competent personnel. Adherence to such guidelines is paramount in preventing incidents involving heavy machinery and protecting the workforce.
The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited, located on Enfield Industrial Estate, Redditch, Worcestershire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This section places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. The company was ordered to pay a fine of £40,000, along with additional costs of £5032, at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 August 2026.
HSE Inspector Charlie Rowe commented on the case, stressing that the serious incident, which led to considerable injury, was entirely avoidable. Inspector Rowe underscored the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all lifting operations are meticulously planned by a competent individual, adequately supervised, and executed safely. He noted that the company’s failure to uphold these duties led to severe consequences for their employee. The HSE continues to offer extensive guidance to assist employers in maintaining safe workplaces and will take decisive action where organisations fail to meet their statutory obligations.
This case serves as a stark reminder to all manufacturing and industrial businesses of the critical importance of robust health and safety management, particularly concerning lifting operations. The movement of heavy equipment, such as a 500kg pillar drill, inherently carries significant risks that necessitate rigorous planning, expert supervision, and strict adherence to established safety procedures. Neglecting these duties can result in devastating injuries for workers and substantial penalties for the offending organisation.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre.
