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Posted by Helen Jones

An accident at work that led to a 43-year-old male needing to have a metal rod inserted into his broken leg has resulted in fines and payments of nearly £30,000 for the company at fault.

Andrew Burrell was injured at the Mitras Automotive (UK) factory in Winsford when chains on a crane gave way, dropping a 31-tonne load.

The hook from the machinery landed on Mr Burrell's limb and upon investigation it was found that the equipment had been overloaded.

The employee's thigh bone was "shattered", said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), reporting on the accident.

Mitras Automotive (UK) was ordered to pay £8,792 in costs and a fine of £20,000 for failing to maintain workers' safety and not ensuring the chains' lifting capacity.

Martin Paren is an investigating inspector for HSE and said Mr Burrell could have died.

"Lifting capacities exist for a reason and it's vital that manufacturers who use overhead cranes make sure employees aren't put a risk from falling loads," he added.

The case follows another HSE report on an accident at work. Matrix Polymers was prosecuted after an incident in April 2009, when an employee's had was severed by rotating parts of a plastics machine.
 

05/04/2011 12:28