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18 April 2005 - HSE Highlight Dangers in
Storage and Moving Heavy Loads Following Fatality
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Following the death of a 37 year old worker whilst unloading a
bundle of slabs weighing approximately 6 Tonnes and prosecution of (now in
liquidation) company, Deco Marble & Granite Limited, Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) Principal inspector, Mr. Mike Gibb highlighted the dangers involved in the
storage and moving of heavy loads when he said:
"This incident demonstrates the inherent dangers involved in
moving and storing large heavy loads such as slabs of stone. Firms receiving
deliveries should consider the use of contract lifts where a crane hire firm can
plan and coordinate all aspects of the lifting operations.
"All firms using and storing stone slabs should assess the risks from their
current storage and handling arrangements. Toast-rack style storage is preferred
to prevent toppling of slabs. Inclined A-frames can also be used provided the
slabs are secure."
The judge, presiding over the prosecution, found the following
contraventions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
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Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states
that "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as reasonably
practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."
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Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health & Safety at Work
Regulations 1999 requires employers to make a suitable and sufficient assessment
of the risks to the health and safety of persons at work.
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Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment
Regulations 1998 states that "lifting operations should be properly planned,
undertaken with appropriate supervision and carried out in a safe manner."
The deceased, Mr. John Martin Dunleavy, was unloading a delivery
of heavy slabs by crane, when the lifting chains became trapped. The
slabs tipped forward and crushed Mr. Dunleavy as he was trying to free the
chains.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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