A manufacturing company has been fined £40,000 after a worker suffered 12 fractured ribs when a 500kg pillar drill became unstable and fell during a lifting operation in Worcestershire. [press.hse.gov.uk]
The incident happened on 24 June 2024 at The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited’s site in Redditch. A 36-year-old employee was assisting with the movement of a newly purchased pillar drill using a forklift truck when the heavy machine toppled over and struck him, causing serious injuries. [press.hse.gov.uk], [barbour-ehs.com]
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment and had not properly planned, supervised, or managed the lifting operation. Inspectors concluded the task was not undertaken safely and could have been prevented with appropriate controls. [press.hse.gov.uk], [barbour-ehs.com]
The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £40,000, along with £5,032 in costs, at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 August 2026. [press.hse.gov.uk]
HSE Inspector Charlie Rowe described the incident as “entirely preventable” and said employers must ensure lifting operations are properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. [press.hse.gov.uk]
Key lesson: Heavy lifting operations involving machinery should never proceed without a thorough risk assessment, competent planning and effective supervision.
#HealthAndSafety #WorkplaceSafety #Manufacturing #ForkliftSafety #RiskAssessment #HSE #SafetyFirst
