Worker killed by swinging crane hook

Date:

17 November 2010

Release No:

W1110AP

A Cardiff-based recycling company has ordered to pay over £230,000 after an employee died following an incident at its premises.

John Penhalagan, 44, was employed by Celsa Manufacturing (UK) when he was struck by a crane hook weighing 3.7 tonnes used to convey ladles of molten steel in the firms new 'melt' shop on 30 May 2007.

Mr Penhalagan of Bridgend suffered fatal head injuries and died later at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that while there was no mechanical defect with the crane, the hooks were able to move at head height near to operators on the ground without adequate safeguards.

This led to HSE prosecuting Celsa Manufacturing (UK) of Castle Works, East Moors Road, Cardiff. The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Cardiff Crown Court. It was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £36,294.38.

After sentencing, HSE inspector Stephen Jones said:

"This was a horrific incident - an extremely heavy, moving piece of equipment was able to strike Mr Penghalagan directly in the head because Celsa Manufacturing didn't have safe systems of work in place."

"The operation had recently moved to a new melt shop but while there was no mechanical defect with the crane, the company did not address the fact that the hooks were able to move at head height near to operators on the ground.

"The system of work did not enable crane operators at the site to clearly see employees working on the ground, putting them at serious risk of being struck by moving objects.

"Celsa should have put in place a thorough risk assessment and most importantly acted upon that assessment, given the generally hazardous nature of this type of operation - but sadly the plans in place were just not adequate and led to this man's terrible death."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. 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."
3. All employers have a duty to assess risks in the workplace and put in place sensible health and safety measures to manage them. More information on risk assessment can be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm.

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