Firm prosecuted for safety failings after worker death
A 55-year old man was killed in a workplace accident whilst
working for a London-based car mat manufacturer.
Balbir Rayatt was employed as an engineering and maintenance
manager at Cannon Automotive Limited in Tottenham when the accident
occurred. He was carrying out repairs and maintenance work on a
rubber-mixing machine when a steel fabrication barrier fell onto
his head in 2008.
Following the accident, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
carried out an investigation which revealed that the barrier had
not been stored in the correct manner. It was found to have been
stored in a vertical position, unsecured against containers.
HSE prosecuted the firm at City of London Magistrates’ Court for
failing to assess the safety risks or implement a safe system of
work for the maintenance on the machines to be carried out. Cannon
Automotive Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Neil Fry, HSE Inspector, said, “This tragic death was utterly
preventable. Poor standards and failure to keep working
environments in a good condition are a major cause of these types
of incidents and also occupational diseases.
“Maintenance is a process that affects every aspect of safety
and health and when a tragedy such as this occurs it demonstrates
the importance of planning when carrying out maintenance work,” he
added.
The firm was fined £20,000 plus costs of £13,100.