Worker seriously injured when 1 tonne load fell on him
- Safety Flash
- Published on 12 July 2016
- Generated on 20 February 2026
- IMCA SF 19/16
- 1 minute read
The UK Health and Safety Executive (UK HSE) has successfully prosecuted a cargo handling company after an employee suffered serious injury when a sheet of marble weighing one tonne fell on him.
What happened?
The incident occurred when the worker was assisting a fork lift truck operator to move a one tonne sheet of marble from a container. The marble sheet fell on him, causing him serious and extensive crush injuries to his legs as well as a fractured sternum and severe lacerations to the back of his head.
The HSE investigation found that there was an unsafe system of work being used to move the load.
IMCA will continue to draw to members’ attention to onshore incidents such as this involving the movement or lifting of heavy loads, working at height, dropped objects, etc. where it is considered that there are lessons to be learned.
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