Summary
Winbro Group Technologies Ltd, a machine manufacturing company based in Shepshed, Leicestershire, has been fined £170,000 following an incident on 17 January 2024 that resulted in an employee losing two fingers. During a lifting operation involving a forklift truck, the forks unexpectedly dropped, trapping an experienced tool fitter’s hand beneath a three-tonne machine. The victim required surgery to amputate two damaged fingers. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation concluded that the company failed to properly plan the lifting operation or ensure it was carried out safely, leading to a guilty plea for breaching Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
Analysis
This case underscores the critical importance of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and the high level of duty placed on employers to mitigate risks during complex manoeuvres. The HSE’s findings indicate a fundamental failure in the planning stage; specifically, the company did not establish a safe system of work to prevent employees from being positioned beneath or near suspended loads. The incident demonstrates that even with experienced staff, mechanical failures or unintended actions can occur, making rigorous safety protocols and physical securing of loads essential. The significant fine, totalling £170,000 plus costs, reflects the preventable nature of the injury and serves as a deterrent against inadequate risk assessment in manufacturing environments.