Poor lifting practices causes loss of 2 toes

Alumasc Precision Ltd, a Northamptonshire engineering firm has been fined over £16,000 (inc. costs) after a worker sustained a serious foot injury when lifting equipment failed.

The circumstances were:

• A 400kg die that was being transported across a tool room on 18 May 2012.
• Although the top half of the die was secured to the crane by eye bolts, the bottom half was secured only by a G-clamp. 
• As it was being moved, the bottom half fell away and struck the worker on the left foot.
• Two of his toes, including his big toe, were so severely injured they had to be amputated. 
• The incident could have been prevented with the use of a robust strap fitted across both halves of the die to prevent the two halves from becoming detached.

The HSE Inspector  said:

“This employee has suffered a severe and needless injury that could have been avoided if the right accessories had been used. Companies must adequately plan and organise all lifting operations – including consideration of the lifting accessories that are being used, and assessments on how lifts are carried out.”