Oil Companies Taken To Task After Accident Severely Injures Worker
After an accident over a walkway seriously injured an employee who was working onsite, courts have asked three oil companies to pay damages for the mishap. A total fine of almost 285,000 was imposed by the judge.
The accident occurred in February of 2007 and involved employee Stephen Rizzotti who was employed by S.G. Blair and Co. The company is now known as Dalprop Ltd. Mr Rizzotti was working at the site in Shell’s Stanlow Manufacturing Complex located near
It was during the work that a container weighing 500 kg fell from a height of 30 feet to land on Mr Rizzotti. He was crushed under the weight of the container that was filled with waste materials, and suffered a broken back and broken pelvis. He also had both his legs fractured. Other injuries also resulted from the accident. The container had been suspended over the walkway from where it had become dislodged and fallen. The employee is now confined to a wheelchair.
The platforms and scaffolding which were used by the workers were installed by Hertel
HSE also brought charges against Shell UK Oil Products Ltd and Dalprop Ltd in this incident. Proceedings at Warrington Crown Court concluded with the imposition of a £116,666 fine plus £16,204 costs for Shell UK Oil Products and £83,333 fine plus £11,115 costs for Dalprop. The companies were charged with neglecting safety precautions outlined in the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
Employers need to be aware of important health and safety issues and remain up-to-date on the current regulations and law associated with Health and Safety. NEBOSH and IOSH training cover a complete range of courses specialising in employment law, health and safety and premises management. For professional consulting and support from qualified health and safety consultants, refer to the Workplace Law Group.
