12.04.2013

Scissor death highlights lack of training

The death of a man in the UK trapped between the guardrail of the scissor lift and overhead ducting has, according to Health & Safety Executive, highlighted the lack of training. Colleagues of the trapped man – Shaun Scurry, 39 - were unaware of how to use the emergency down controls on the scissor lift - a Skyjack owned by AFI - and unable to release him and bring him down.

Southwark Crown Court in London was told yesterday that Scurry was trapped between a guardrail of the scissor lift and overhead ducting but a colleague was unaware of how to use the emergency descent controls. Firesafe Installations was prosecuted following the incident at the Stafford shopping centre in East London on 9 December 2009.
See original report London Accident
And London Accident updated
The court was told that Firesafe Installations cannot be held directly accountable for the death, however the company should have made sure that staff knew how to operate the equipment they were using.
HSE investigators established that familiarisation training was inadequate.

Firesafe Installations was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £29,000 in costs after pleading guilty to a single breach of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 which requires training, including the methods when using the work equipment plus any risks and precautions to be taken.

HSE Inspector Eileen Gascoigne said: “This tragic case underlines the importance of familiarisation training – not only for direct operatives, but also those who may be required to take control in the event of an emergency. There is clear HSE and Industry Guidance on what is expected of companies working with MEWPs in this regard, and the failing of Firesafe Installations is a clear example of why it is so important.”