Legal News
£160,000 penalty after two aircraft workers sustain serious injuries in fall from height (21 March 2017)
Date: 21/03/2017
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted an aircraft company based at Stansted Airport in Essex, after two workers fell 15 feet while carrying out checks on the tail of a plane.
On 10 June 2015, the two men were working on mobile elevated platforms when another employee closed the wrong circuit breaker, inadvertently opening the plane’s airbrake, which knocked over both platforms.
The men fell between 10 to 15 feet – a 62-year-old worker suffered three fractures to his pelvis, a broken back, three broken ribs, a fractured elbow and a punctured right lung. A 60-year-old worker suffered a broken wrist and a chipped a bone on his spine.
A Health and Safety Executive investigation found that no suitable risk assessment was in place and there was a lack of effective monitoring.
On Wednesday 15 March 2017 at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, Inflite Engineering Limited pleaded guilty to breaches under Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The company was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,492.90.
After the case, HSE Inspector Tania van Rixtel said:
“Both of these men suffered shocking injuries after falling from height, which could easily have been a double fatality.
“Our investigation found the incident could have been avoided had adequate monitoring been taking place.
“Aircraft maintenance companies are reminded that not all risks are covered by the Aircraft Maintenance Manual – and additional measures need to be introduced.”
Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors can advise those who suffer injury in a fall from height caused by negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for compensation, including claims relating to:
Duncan Lewis also offers supportive legal advice to families whose loved one has lost their life as a result of a fall from height caused by negligence.
We are also specialists in high-value personal injury claims involving catastrophic or life changing injuries.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Falls from Height Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 0333 772 0409.