A report by Health Safety Digital shows that three recent Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecutions have highlighted the serious consequences of poorly planned lifting operations, with fines totalling more than £4.8 million following incidents that left workers with life-changing injuries.
The cases involved a switchboard falling from a forklift during loading operations, a lifting chain failing while carrying a steel beam, and an improvised method of lifting a heavy metal hopper using a forklift.
Despite the different circumstances, Health Safety Digital highlight that all three demonstrate the importance of proper planning, suitable equipment and effective safety procedures.
Best practice for reducing risk
It is vital to ensure that all lifting operations are properly planned, supervised and completed safely, using safe equipment.
Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), lifting operations must be planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
The full Health Safety Digital article can be found here and, for further guidance on the topic, take a look at the HSE’s information on planning and organising lifting operations.