Woodworking company faces fines after worker suffers multiple leg injuries
Arnold Laver & Company Ltd have been sentenced for safety breaches after a worker was struck by objects falling from an articulated trailer.
The Bradford Magistrates Court heard that on the 24th of July 2019 the 45-year-old worker had been unloading the bottom deck of a double-deck trailer that had been used as overflow storage.
The trailer was used for composite decking
An investigation by the HSE Executive found that the trailer was being used to store largely composite decking on the lower deck, with the upper deck containing packs of MDF architrave and other promotional materials.
With the low capacity for storage, another operative needed to place a pallet of decking on the bottom deck but needed to create more space. To do this they removed the side support for the top deck of the trailer.
This caused the decking to partially collapse as another side support had been removed to create more room.
Following the removal of the second support arm, a partial pack of architrave slid off the top deck, colliding with the worker. They suffered a broken left femur and other broken legs within their foot.
The incident reinforces the need for companies to introduce adequate control measures. Often important health and safety control measures are missed and in this case were overlooked to allow for more storage space.
"“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply using correct control measures and safe working practices.”
: HSE Inspector David Beaton"
