Manufacturing company fined after drill weighing 500kg falls on employee

A manufacturing company has been fined after an employee suffered serious injuries during a lifting operation at a Redditch factory in June 2024. The worker fractured twelve ribs when a newly purchased 500kg pillar drill became unstable and fell while being lifted by a forklift truck.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found thatthe company had failed to properly assess the risks associated with the lifting operation. HSE also found that the task had not been adequately planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, or carried out in a safe manner.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court, it was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £5,032 in costs. HSE said the incident was entirely preventable and reminded employers of the importance of properly planning and managing lifting operations.

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