Worker fatally injured in falling from a scissor-lift platform which collided with another vehicle

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 2 March 2018
  • Generated on 14 December 2025
  • IMCA SF 05/18
  • 1 minute read

The UK HSE reports that a company has been fined after a worker suffered fatal injuries.

What happened?

The worker was operating a scissor-lift working platform when this was struck by a Long Goods Vehicle (LGV), causing him to be ejected onto a roadway from a height of 1.5 metres.

What went wrong? What were the causes?

An investigation by the UK HSE found:

  • The company had failed to plan and organise work at height in a manner that ensured the safety of their workers;
  • The work at height should have been organised to segregate activity in space and/or time from adjacent workplace transport operations.

The HSE inspector commented: “This was a tragic and wholly avoidable incident, caused by the failure of the company to implement and monitor safe systems of work. The company did not undertake the simple safety measure of segregating those working at height from adjacent workplace transport operations, in line with widely available industry guidance.”

Latest Safety Flashes:

Vessel ran aground

A vessel on a short voyage ran aground while navigating through a narrow channel at low tide.

Read more
Fire in the engine room – fuel spray fire

A fire broke out on the starboard main engine due to a leak from the fuel pipe connection.

Read more
Fire hazard: missing splash tapes on fuel hose connections

It was observed that several engine fuel hose connections were not fitted with splash tapes.

Read more
Dropped pallet during cargo transfer

A plastic pallet loaded with plastic lube oil drums fell while being hoisted.

Read more
Positive – Enhancing safety communication through digital monitors

All crew and office personnel have 24/7 access to essential safety and operational updates.

Read more

IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.

The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.

All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.

The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.

Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.