Gearbox maker failed to identify lifting hazards

A machine operator at a gearbox manufacturing factory was crushed to death by a 740kg slab of metal, which had not been adequately secured.
 
Nigel Lindley, 47, was assembling a bedplate for a gearbox at Renold Power Transmission Ltd’s factory in Rochdale, Lancashire, when the incident took place on 27 November 2008.

The bedplate was in two parts, which Mr Lindley was attempting to join them together with two dowels. After the parts were lowered into position by an overhead crane, he lined them up and hammered a dowel through the top of each. He then removed the chains from one of the sides so he could align the bottom part of the units, which meant that one side was only being held in place by the top dowel.

Mr Lindley was kneeling down to hammer a connecting dowel through the bottom sections, when the unsecured side became unattached and fell on him. He died from severe crush injuries.

Following an investigation the HSE found that the company had failed to carry out a risk assessment detailing the possible hazards. Staff had also not been provided with any lifting, or slinging training and had developed their own method of work.€

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Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

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