Hampshire boat maker fined after worker suffers serious injuries

A Hampshire-based boat maker has been fined GBP 26,666 and ordered to pay costs of GBP 6,163 after a worker suffered multiple fractures to his leg in an accident at work.

Magistrates in Southampton heard that Green Marine Ltd was closing down its premises at Spitfire Quay, Southampton, and moving to new premises in 2010, when the incident occurred.

The court heard that Stephen Thompson was using steps to assess some work he was about to carry out at a height of about three metres, when a scissor lift that was being used nearby hit a shelf, dislodging a piece of timber which knocked the steps, causing Mr Thompson to fall to the floor.

He fractured his right leg in four places and was forced to spend more than two weeks in hospital over the Christmas period. He also spent ten months off work and can no longer lead an active lifestyle because he cannot stand for long periods and is likely to have a limp for the rest of his life.

Doctors have informed Mr Thompson that he is likely to suffer from severe arthritis in his leg because cartilage in his ankle was removed.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the company for a dangerous lack of planning, organisation and control of the work when closing the factory down.

Investigators found that the company managers had failed to plan the work to close the factory effectively and did not ensure the correct equipment was available to carry out the tasks.

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 3(1) and 5(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

After the hearing, HSE's inspector David Bibby said: "This case should highlight the importance of effective health and safety management. In their haste to get the factory closed down, Green Marine Limited failed to consider the risks apparent from this project and failed to ensure that work could and was being done safely."

Posted by Trevor Baker

Related Articles

02/04/2009 - Company fined after unguarded machine causes work injury

31/03/2009 - Newcastle council backs hse campaign to reduce work injury

27/03/2009 - Seven work injuries add up to large bill for council

03/04/2009 - Contractors warned of fire risk on construction sites

03/04/2009 - Injury claim launched for brain-damaged demolition worker

07/04/2009 - Shoulder injury results in compensation

08/04/2009 - Welder receives compensation for work injury

09/04/2009 - Firm fined after double work injury

14/04/2009 - Hse reminds employers of workplace responsibilities

15/04/2009 - Teachers awarded gbp18m compensation in 2008