Apprentice suffers broken leg as large steel fabrication falls on him.

Site Hire Services Ltd., was fined £8,232 (inc.costs) after an apprentice broke his leg. 

The circumstances were:

• On 28 March 2014, an employee was working on the fabrication of a large steel structure called an ‘angle plate’. 
• The fabrication task was poorly planned and there were poor controls.
• There could have been better training and supervision.
• In order to hold a 800kg steel sheet in place, the fabricator attempted to attach a temporary lifting channel to hold the steel sheet in an upright position. 
• He sought the assistance of a 16-year-old apprentice to do this. 
• While the apprentice was standing next to the steel sheet it became unstable and fell on to his leg, breaking it. 

The HSE Inspector said:
“The manipulation of heavy loads using lifting equipment is a regular occurrence within the fabrication industry and needs to be properly managed. It is not acceptable to expect people to work near unstable or poorly supported materials, even for short periods of time. Safe systems of work should be in place to prevent this and to avoid serious injuries or loss of life.”