Engineering firm fined over safety failings

Wilden Services punished after worker crushed by fan unit

A Hertfordshire engineering firm has been fined £15,000 for safety failings after a large fan unit crushed a worker at a Surrey development.

The worker, employed by Hemel Hempstead-based Wilden Services, injured his spine and was unable to work for several weeks as a result of the accident that took place as the company installed a ventilation system. 

Guildford Crown Court heard that the large fan unit, weighing 630kg, fell over as it was being moved and pinned the worker underneath.

The accident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which found it could have been prevented had a better system of work been in place.

HSE inspector Denis Bodger said: “The employee was seriously injured and could have been paralysed had his spinal cord been damaged by the falling unit. Companies should always ensure that extreme care is taken when moving heavy items, and that includes properly assessing the risks in advance and agreeing a safe system of work.

“The incident was entirely avoidable with better planning and management.”

Wilden Services was also ordered to pay £7,148 in costs after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at an earlier hearing.