People working in the manufacturing and transport sectors have been reminded of the need to carry out regular OHSAS 18001 training with staff following an accident in which an employee was seriously injured.

David Jones was working for S Cartwright and Sons (Coachbuilders), in Broadheath near Altrincham, when he was crushed by a stack of metal strips.

Mr Jones' back was broken in four places and he suffered 12 broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade, a punctured lung, a bruised heart and stomach injuries.

He was helping to load the strips onto a trailer when the stack and lifting beam - weighing a total of 2.2 tonnes - fell on him in March 2008.

The company, which builds lorry trailers, was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £18,315 towards the costs of the prosecution.

Richard Clarke, inspector with the health and safety executive (HSE), explained that the proper written guidance and training for staff expected to handle long loads was not provided by S Cartwright and Sons.

"Manufacturing companies can be dangerous places to work if the risks are not properly managed," he stated.

According to the HSE, people working in the manufacturing industry are more likely to suffer serious injuries as a result of being hit by a falling object than those employed by other sectors.

Posted by Greg Johnson

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