A structural steelwork firm has been prosecuted after a steel plate fell from a crane and struck an employee during construction work at the University of Bedfordshire.

Tubular Erectors Limited of Sinclair Court, Bletchley pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4 and 8 (1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. It has been fined £32,000, with more than £3,444 in costs and a victim surcharge of £120.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how the injured worker was carrying out work on a new metal staircase at the University's Luton Campus on 10 December 2015.


The task involved using a crane to lift a steel sheet attached to a magnet. However, the sheet became detached and fell to the ground, striking the employee on the back. The worker suffered a fractured spine and has been unable to continue working as a steel fixer.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found Tubular Erectors failed to ensure that the lifting equipment was of adequate strength and stability for each load. Whilst the safe working load was 1,000kg, 1000kg the magnet had to be de-rated to take into account the thinness and the length of the metal being lifted.

The company also failed to ensure that the lifting operation was planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Samantha Wells said: "This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply implementing the correct control measures and safe working practices."

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."

(LM)