Employers Need to Improve Health & Safety or Risk Facing Work Accident Claims, says Alkers Solicitors

Personal injury solicitor Alkers has warned companies of all sizes to make sure they understand health and safety law, or risk the consequences.

It was recently revealed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that a Manchester-based company, Duco International, has been fined after a worker died at a factory in Berkshire.

According to the HSE, Mitesh Prashar of Slough, was killed when he became trapped in an automatic inspection machine, which quality checks rolls of rubber.

He was found with his left arm, shoulder, torso and head trapped between the roller and rubberised blanket of the machine. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

During an HSE investigation, the organisation found the firm had failed to assess the risks of using the equipment, while there was no guarding to protect users from dangerous parts of the machine.

Furthermore, it noted that Duco International did not give sufficient training or instruction to those it.

As a result, the firm was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs worth £43,352.

Commenting on the outcome of the hearing, HSE inspector Ray Kelly said: "This needless tragedy is typical of what can happen when health and safety management systems fail. Had the hazards been assessed, the lack of any guarding would have been highlighted, and this death could have been avoided.
“Companies should realise that when there are flagrant breaches of health and safety law HSE will prosecute.”

Paul Alker, partner and solicitor at Alkers, a law firm whose expertise covers personal injury in Preston and the rest of the North West, stated: "Unfortunately, accidents like this continue to occur in factories and workplaces up and down the country, and the majority of the time they could be avoided.

“At Alkers, we have many years of experience representing victims of work accidents and their families, and from what we have seen it is clear that companies of all sizes and types still have a lot of work to do to ensure health and safety standards are up to scratch.”

Alkers is available to offer legal advice and services to those seeking a personal injury solicitor in Preston, Blackpool, or the rest of the North West. For more information about accidents at work or personal injury compensation claims, visit the firm’s website at www.alkers.net  

Contact Information

Paul Alker

Partner & Solicitor

Alkers

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