The collapsed pallets which caused Mr Lages’ death
A plastics manufacturer in Rochdale has been fined £140,000 following a cleaner’s death from a 1.5 tonne pallet falling and crushing the victim.
TS (UK) Ltd were prosecuted by the HSE following the incident at Stakehill Industrial Estate in Middleton. It was found that they failed to create a safe environment for their employees and there was no First Aid trained worker on duty.
The pallet contained 55 bags of polypropylene, which is dangerous to stack as a tear in a bag causes the load on the pallet to become unstable.
Abel Lages, 38, was discovered trapped underneath the collapsed pallet and died on the scene.
HSE’s Principal Inspector, John McGrellis, quoted: ‘Mr. Lages died because TS (UK) Ltd didn’t treat the Health and Safety of its workers as a priority. There were labels on the polypropylene bags that made it clear that they should be stored safely but this advice was ignored.’
‘Since Mr. Lages’ death, TS (UK) Ltd has changed how it stores pallets so that it no longer stacks them on top of each other. If this action had been taken previously, Mr. Lages may still be alive today.’
TS(UK) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations, 1981 and section 2(11) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
• Regulation 3(2) of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 states: “An employer shall provide, or ensure that there is provided, such number of suitable persons as is adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for rendering first-aid to his employees if they are injured or become ill at work.”
• Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: “It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
• Last year there were 32 deaths and 22,407 serious injuries in the UK manufacturing sector.
Buy:Zovirax.Nexium.Actos.Petcam (Metacam) Oral Suspension.Prednisolone.Arimidex.Lumigan.Accutane.100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium.Valtrex.Retin-A.Mega Hoodia.Prevacid.Synthroid.Zyban.Human Growth Hormone….