Work accident news
13/05/2010

Teen's leg crushed by falling metal

A 17-year-old worker from Wolverhampton has suffered a broken leg after a work accident at a warehouse in Bushbury.

The young manworker was pushing a trolley containing steel when about 700kg of the metal fell on to him.

Following the accident the worker required several pins and plates in his leg and his recovery was further delayed by a number of complications with the broken bones.

On investigation of the warehouse, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the condition of the floor at the site was poor and the trolley was not suitable for outside use.

The firm pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court and was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £3,603 in costs.

Speaking of the incident, the HSE inspector assigned to the case said, :

"This was this young man's first job after leaving school and he suffered a nasty injury caused by a poorly-maintained work environment and unsuitable work equipment."

The inspector y added that it wasis imperative that when moving heavy items such as steellike this t that the proper precautions wereare taken to prevent against work accidents and personal injury.