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Member of the public killed following unplanned movement of an unsecured load

What happened?

The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) fined a company after it caused the death of a child when he was trapped between an unsecured pole and a fence.

An employee delivered an overhead power pole to a roadside verge location, and left the pole unsecured [IMCA emphasis] at the top of an embankment.  It subsequently rolled down, trapping a 12-year-old child between it and a fence, causing fatal injuries.

What went wrong?

  • There was a failure to provide a safe system of work for the delivery and storage of the poles;
  • There was a failure to provide suitable training, information and instruction to employees engaged in their tasks.

See full press release here.

Members may wish to refer to:

Safety Event

Published: 24 July 2020
Download: IMCA SF 22/20

Relevant life-saving rules:
IMCA Safety Flashes
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