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An industrial door company has been fined £165,000 following an incident that killed a 33-year-old employee. The experienced engineer was repairing a roller door when his hooded top became trapped in the mechanism. The hoodie's strings were caught and wound around a door torsion spring, causing them to tighten around the man's neck. Despite a colleague rushing to his aid, the employee died in hospital after three days.
Worker interviews revealed that staff frequently wore hoodies to stay warm on the job. While the company had repeatedly advised employees not to wear loose clothing, the firm had neither implemented nor enforced a formal policy.
The company admitted failing to ensure the proper health, safety, and welfare of its employees and pleaded guilty to neglecting to establish and uphold a safe system of work. The business received a total fine of £165,000.
Prevent safety incidents across your business
A robust compliance programme can prevent workplace accidents and protect your company from financial penalties and reputational damage. Key steps include conducting thorough risk assessments, providing clear PPE and clothing policies, training staff on safe systems of work, and enforcing policies consistently at all levels.
Last updated
July 26, 2024
Opus Safety
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Guidance, updates and practical advice for your sector.
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Why businesses choose
Opus Safety
We've worked across UK industry for years. The numbers show what our clients achieve when compliance becomes a strength, not a burden.
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