Workplace Transport Accident University Porter Crushed by Unseen Barrier
A university has been fined £60,000 plus £11,700 costs after an employee was crushed by a barrier on their campus.
The university pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act 1974 and, Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. They were fined £20,000 for each breach and ordered to pay costs of £11,700.
The porter had been driving a refurbished milk float through the grounds, delivering furniture to student accommodation. There was a barrier which was opened only at the beginning and the end of term, which separated the accommodation.
On his return the barrier had moved slightly and the porter drove into it because it was quite thin and was not visible to him. The barrier crashed through the front of the vehicle’s window, crushing him against the seat. He suffered severe internal injuries in which he lost one kidney, damaged the other and had to spend ten days in intensive care.
Luckily there were paramedics going past the scene at the time of the accident and the porter received treatment in good time; if this stroke of luck had not occurred the porter may have lost his life.
Peninsula Comment
Peninsula Business Services Limited understands that the dangers of workplace transport exist in most work premises. Due to the high number of accidents and fatalities it is clear that many companies struggle to manage the hazards associated with workplace transport. Managing safety is about eliminating and reducing risks, looking at what could happen and what control measures should be implemented to make sure these risks can be avoided. This would be done by way of ‘Risk Assessment’.
Welcome to The Bottom Line Online, a free access website created by Peninsula, the UK's leading Employment Law Firm.
The Bottom Line is a quarterly employment law magazine, covering employer legislation information including employment law, health and safety articles or H&S advice or personnel safety matters, published by Peninsula and distributed exclusively to its client base. The first edition was written and created in 1996 and over the years this publication has informed, entertained and educated clients of Peninsula.
The subjects covered in the employment law magazine include news, views and in-depth personnel articles of how companies (particular SMEs) deal with and manage staff within the ever changing legal environment plus all the latest government legislation changes on employer legislation information, employment law, health and safety articles or personnel issues, advice and general personnel safety matters and other personnel issues.
It is written entirely by people who work within the employment law in the health and safety profession and is a vital reference point for managers and company owners who deal with HR and/or Health and Safety on a day to day basis.
This online version of the employment law magazine can be used as a reference point for all company owners, directors and senior managers who need to know the essential rules of employing and managing staff, keeping up to date with employer legislation information and personnel safety matters. As well as scrolling through the pages of the current edition, you will be able to check the back issues of our employment law magazine through our search facility.
To get started and view these latest health and safety articles, personnel articles or employment law articles, register for free and gain access to the benefits.
Health and Safety | Employment Law | Personnel Safety Matters | Employer Legislation Information | Tribunals | Peninsula | UK
