Saltburn company fined £25K after worker fell into pit and broke a rib

The employee at Peel Jones Copper Products Limited fell into one of the company's pits. Credit: Google Maps

A company has been fined after a worker fell into a moulding pit and suffered a broken rib.

The incident happened after the employee at Peel Jones Copper Products Limited opened up the company’s site in Kilton Lane, Saltburn on 27 August 21.

As the lights inside the casting room at Maynard Foundary were turned off, the worker had to walk from one side to the other to turn them on.

While doing this, the worker lost their bearings and fell into one of the company’s pits, suffering a broken rib.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had not properly assessed the risk created by the pits, and that suitable edge protection or covers for the pits had not been provided.

Following a visit by a HSE inspector in 2018, Peel Jones Copper Products Limited had been served with a Notification of Contravention, requiring the company to provide improved protection around the moulding pit.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching a health and safety regulation. Appearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 24 January, it was fined £26,666 and ordered to pay £4,105 in costs.

A worker was injured after falling into a moulding pit. Credit: HSE

The company had installed edge protection but this was later removed as the firm started to use larger moulds.

Prior to the incident in August 2021, there had been a previous incident when an employee fell into one of the company’s pits, though there were no significant injuries on that occasion.

HSE inspector Stephen Garner said: “The company failed to take suitable measures to prevent employees falling into its moulding pits. This was a clear and obvious hazard that was known to the company.

"There had been a previous incident and HSE had already taken enforcement action in relation to this particular risk in 2018.

"It should be immediately foreseeable that harm is likely to result from a system whereby employees are required to walk past unprotected fall edges in the dark in order to open up a site.” 

ITV Tyne Tees contacted Peel Jones Copper Products Limited for comment.

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