Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
UK Construction Directory
Search our 157,205 companies....

Construction News

23/08/2010

Worker Impaled At Workington Factory

Construction News Image
A Workington company has been fined £15,000 after a steel cable shot through a worker's leg, leaving him with a hole through his shin.

A.C.P (Concrete) Ltd, which produces concrete panels, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident in their factory in the Derwent Howe Industrial Estate, which left worker Jamie Graham, 25, from Cockermouth in a hip to toe full leg cast for six weeks and on crutches for another four months.

Workington Magistrates' court heard that steel cables were threaded through concrete moulds and stretched to 2000 lbs tension. On 19 March 2009, a grip holding one of the tensioned cables failed, releasing a 200-feet long cable.
-- Advertisement --
hss



When Mr Graham went to re-thread that cable, another grip failed, releasing a second 200-feet-long steel cable, the end of which passed straight through his lower right leg, leaving him impaled on the 9mm steel cable.

The fire and rescue service had to cut the cable to release him and he was taken to hospital with the end of the cable still embedded though his shin.

A HSE investigation found the company did not have any system in place for inspecting and maintaining the grips, and that an average of eight grips failed each week at the premises.

HSE also concluded that A.C.P did not have a safe system of work in place for re-threading the steel cables and fixing new grips when they failed on tensioned cables. This meant that workers could be crouching directly in line with the ends of tensioned cables whilst making repairs.

The court heard that Mr Graham, who is a keen weight trainer, was significantly immobilised for six weeks after the incident and still suffers pain and weakness in his right leg.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was also ordered to pay £6,638 costs.

(CD/GK)

Latest Construction News

16/05/2025
South Dock Marina in Southwark is set for a major £8 million overhaul aimed at improving health and safety across the site, following the recent approval of a redevelopment plan. Led by Southwark Council, the upgrade programme has been granted planning permission, pending further consultation with
16/05/2025
The South Rail Systems Alliance (SRSA) has completed a major programme of infrastructure upgrades on the West Anglia main line. Appointed in September 2023, the SRSA, comprising Colas Rail UK, Network Rail, and AECOM, delivered a package of works between Shepreth and Cambridge. This multidisciplina
16/05/2025
London Gatwick has announced a major partnership with renewable energy provider Vital Energi to deliver a £250 million decarbonisation programme, aimed at achieving net zero for the airport’s own emissions by 2030. Under a five-year contract, Vital Energi will help the airport transition away from
16/05/2025
Dale Turner, Director of Procurement and Supply Chain at Skanska UK, has been appointed Chair of the Supply Chain Sustainability School. Turner succeeds Shaun McCarthy OBE, who co-founded the School in 2012 and has led it since its inception. McCarthy will now transition into a roaming ambassador r
16/05/2025
Dudley's Aluminium has taken a major step in its journey to net zero by installing a large-scale solar energy system at its production facility in Cardiff. The company partnered with Inspire Green, a renewable energy specialist operating across south Wales and south-west England, to fit 192 high-ef
16/05/2025
If you're searching for architects in Tunbridge Wells, you're likely planning something exciting — from a home extension or renovation to a brand-new build. At Alex Bryla Architecture, we specialise in bespoke architectural design, offering a fresh and creative approach tailored to the uniq
15/05/2025
A major expansion of the Port of Tilbury has been set in motion as owners Forth Ports has submitted an outline planning application to Thurrock Council for the development of a new port facility, Tilbury3 (T3). The proposed project will redevelop a 100-acre brownfield site—equivalent to 70 football
15/05/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has commenced work on a capital works programme at the University of Leeds campus. It was announced earlier this year that Morgan Sindall has been appointed to the programme, which will entail refurbishment of existing university spaces and entrances as well as reroofing
15/05/2025
Construction has officially begun on the long-awaited Marple Community Hub, a £20 million development that will bring a state-of-the-art leisure, health and library complex to the heart of Stockport. Local leaders, partners, and the main contractor Willmott Dixon gathered in Marple Memorial Park fo
15/05/2025
Great Places Housing Group recently welcomed senior leaders from Manchester City Council to tour the final phase of its flagship £19.4 million Wiremill Court development in New Islington. Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig and Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development, visited the s
Stuart CanvasEfco UK LtdAqua Direct LtdLakeside HireCompass Protection Manufacturing LimitedAqua Direct LtdAcuity ComplianceThe Bifolding Door FactoryAtspeed Steels & LintelsProcter Brother LTD