Crush death deemed preventable

At Aylesbury Crown Court Avery Dennison Materials UK Ltd of London has been fined £50K plus £50K costs following a fatal crush accident in June 2005 at its Milton Keynes Distribution Centre.

A worker became crushed between a 1-tonne roll of paper and a paper slitting machine, the company pleading guilty to breaching S.2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

An HSE Inspector said: "Avery Dennison Materials UK Ltd had an unblemished health and safety record until this incident. This case shows that being lulled into a false sense of security by the fact that an incident has never occurred before can prove fatal.

"This preventable fatality shows the need for rigorous risk assessments. Employers must consider and assess how heavy loads with the potential for serious injury are moved and restrained. We would urge senior managers in such large organisations to remain vigilant in order to ensure a good health and safety culture is maintained and that necessary precautions are put in place to protect workers from injuries and even death."

Article created by Editor. (info@safetynetscotland.co.uk)