UK HSE: Employee fatally injured while moving heavy equipment
- Safety Flash
- Published on 13 September 2021
- Generated on 17 June 2026
- IMCA SF 25/21
- 1 minute read
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fined a company whose employee was fatally injured while moving heavy machinery.
What happened?
Workers were moving a large and heavy milling machine using a forklift and machine-moving skates.
During the work, the machine became unstable and toppled over onto one of the workers, causing fatal head injuries.
What went wrong?
Investigation found that company had failed to:
- Assess and plan the task of moving the machine.
- Determine a safe system of work.
- Provide clear instructions to the workers.
- Supervise the activity.
In addition, the skates used were not adequately maintained nor subject to a suitable inspection programme to ensure that they were safe to use.
The inspector noted that:
“the lifting and movement of heavy machinery is a specialist and often complex task requiring significant planning, expertise, knowledge and specialist equipment to ensure the risks are controlled.”
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 23/21
19 August 2021
-
-
IMCA SF 27/20
15 September 2020
-
-
IMCA SF 22/20
24 July 2020
-
-
IMCA SF 05/15
2 April 2015
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.