SWSC News feed

Probe into Blackburn digger driver's death

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:38:32 +0100

IMMIGRATION officials have begun an investigation after the death of a 21-year-old asylum seeker in a digger crash.
The UK Border Agency said it was looking into whether Afghanistan national Qabil Amin was allowed to work in this country.
And spokeswoman from the Health and Safety Executive confirmed it was aware of the incident and had begun preliminary inquiries, but would not comment futher.
Shovel truck driver Mr Qabil died of head injuries at 12.30am on Sunday while driving a small Bobcat digger at a unit in Lower Hollin Bank Street, Blackburn, owned by Blackburn Skip Hire Ltd.
He had been living in Cheltenham Street, Blackburn, but was originally from Afghanistan.
He had no family in the UK.
A spokesman for the UK Border Agency said: “We are are aware of the case and are looking into it.
“Mr Amin’s case for asylum was still under consideration at the time of his death, but the legality of his work is still being looked at.
“Whether asylum seekers are allowed to work in this country depends on individual cases.”
At an inquest in Blackburn yesterday, deputy coroner Elaine Block said a post mortem examination had been carried out, but further toxicology tests were required to establish the events leading up to the death.
The inquest heard that Mr Amin was found dead in the cab of the digger by his employer, with head injuries.
*article taken from lancashiretelegraph website*

Ladder fall broke worker's shoulder

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:33:22 +0100

An employee of Moulton Bulb Company Ltd was covering onion boxes with plastic sheeting when he fell 3 metres from a ladder at its Glebe Farm site in Spalding in September 2009, breaking his shoulder. He had been wrapping a stack of boxes around 5.5 metres tall.

The company admitted breaching r.4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and was fined £6,000 with costs of £2,188, it has now eliminated the need to work at height by applying polythene sheeting at floor level and then raising the boxes up.

*article taken from SafetyNews website*

Worker dies at Stadco car parts plant

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:16:10 +0100

A man has died after an accident at a factory in Shropshire.
The man worked at the Shrewsbury plant of Stadco, which provides parts for the automotive industry.
It is not known how the man died but he was injured in an incident on Monday and died in hospital the early hours of Tuesday, the firm said.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is investigating and a spokesman said the thoughts of everyone at the company are with his family and friends.
In a statement, the firm said: "Following an accident at its Shrewsbury plant on Monday 9 August, it is with much sadness that Stadco announces that one employee has subsequently died of his injuries in the early hours of Tuesday 10 August.
"Stadco is working closely with all the relevant authorities and at this stage is unable to make further comment until an investigation into the tragic incident has been completed.
"The thoughts of everyone at Stadco are with the family and friends of their employee and colleague and the company's efforts are focused on offering whatever support it can at what is an extremely difficult time."
*article taken from BBC News website*

Welshpool man dies after falling from roof

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 10:04:51 +0100

A WELSHPOOL man has died after falling off a roof of a house he was working on. Roger Jary, 79, of Welshpool died on Tuesday when he fell off the roof of a house in Henfaes Drive in the town.
Sian George, Dyfed Powys Police spokeswoman, said it was a “tragic incident”.
She said: “Dyfed-Powys Police are currently investigating the sudden death of Roger Jary, 79, from Welshpool, as a result of a tragic incident at Henfaes Drive, Welshpool at about 5.30pm yesterday.
“Mr Jary was carrying out repairs at a house when he fell and sustained fatal injuries.
“The incident is being treated as a work-related death and the Health & Safety Executive is conducting a joint investigation with Dyfed Powys Police.”
*article taken from CountyTimes website*

Miraculous escape as piling machine fell on road

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 09:38:00 +0100

Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering Ltd and Multibuild Ltd have been fined in connection with an incident in December 2007 in which a 44 tonnes piling machine fell and rolled over on to a busy road in Hull.

Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering Ltd, formerly Stent Foundations Ltd, of Basingstoke, and Multibuild Ltd, of Stockport, were deemed to have breached S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Balfour Beatty was fined £25,000 with £17,676 in costs, Multibuild Ltd was fined £20,000 with £18,687 costs.

Multibuild Ltd had provided a stone platform for the machine to work from, but failed to design or install it correctly. Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering Ltd had failed to safely carry out the work.

*article taken from SafetyNews website*