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Steven Allen, a 23-year-old man from Keighley, died from massive crush injuries when his head became trapped in the jaws of a grab machine being wrongly used to move a pallet of cement bags.
He was part of a team working for Skipton-based construction company JN Bentley Ltd on a building project for Bradford Council in Manningham in March 2007.
Bradford Crown Court was told the grab was being used against manufacturer's instructions and was not suitable for the job.
J N Bentley Ltd of Keighley Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, receiving a £106,250 fine with costs of £90,000.
Dave Redman, principal inspector at the Health and Safety Executive, said the firm made "a fundamental error" and this resulted in the tragic death of a young man.
"This use was very clearly advised against by the manufacturers and the risks should have been understood by the company," he stated.
"Nevertheless, they allowed machinery to be used on their site which was totally unsuitable for the task. No assessment was made regarding the use of the grab and no instructions were given to the men who were operating it."
Mr Redman said it shouldn't take a death to remind employers that failure to properly plan the work can have tragic consequences.
Quantum Risk Management are leading Health and Safety Consultants
Inappropriate use of machinery 'led to worker's death'
A horrific incident which led to the death of a Keighley man has highlighted the importance of taking health and safety in the workplace seriously.Steven Allen, a 23-year-old man from Keighley, died from massive crush injuries when his head became trapped in the jaws of a grab machine being wrongly used to move a pallet of cement bags.
He was part of a team working for Skipton-based construction company JN Bentley Ltd on a building project for Bradford Council in Manningham in March 2007.
Bradford Crown Court was told the grab was being used against manufacturer's instructions and was not suitable for the job.
J N Bentley Ltd of Keighley Road, Skipton, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, receiving a £106,250 fine with costs of £90,000.
Dave Redman, principal inspector at the Health and Safety Executive, said the firm made "a fundamental error" and this resulted in the tragic death of a young man.
"This use was very clearly advised against by the manufacturers and the risks should have been understood by the company," he stated.
"Nevertheless, they allowed machinery to be used on their site which was totally unsuitable for the task. No assessment was made regarding the use of the grab and no instructions were given to the men who were operating it."
Mr Redman said it shouldn't take a death to remind employers that failure to properly plan the work can have tragic consequences.
Quantum Risk Management are leading Health and Safety Consultants
Posted on 30/01/2012
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