Essex manufacturer in court after workers’ fall04 June 2014

An Essex firm which makes precast concrete stairs has been fined £12,500 and ordered to pay £1,357 in costs for safety failings after four employees fell when a stair mould collapsed beneath them at the company premises in Earls Colne.

The workers – who do not wish to be named – suffered injuries including bruising, a dislocated shoulder, a fractured right arm, a twisted ankle, plus knee and back pain following the incident on 7 August 2013. They have all since returned to work.

Milbank Concrete Products was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that the stair mould was inadequately supported during the work.

Colchester Magistrates' Court heard that the employees were working on a new precast concrete staircase and standing on a supporting frame – known as a 'ski-slope' – which can be adjusted for height and angle depending on the specification of stairs.

As concrete was being poured into the mould to create the stairs, five props supporting the ski-slope collapsed, causing the four men to fall from heights ranging from one metre to 3m.

Milbank Concrete Products of Lancaster Way, Earls Colne Business Park Airfield, Earls Colne, Colchester, Essex, pleaded guilty to a single breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

HSE inspector Keith Waller said: "This incident could have been more serious. It could also have been easily prevented if it had been properly planned, assessed for risks, and sufficient training given.

"Having not carried out a proper risk assessment, Milbank Concrete Products therefore failed to have a safe system of work in place for the job and four workers were injured as a result."

Ian Vallely

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