Balloo Hire Centre Ltd was fined £80,000 for safety breaches during a loading operation.
- The incident involved a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) that toppled off a trailer.
- The operator suffered life-changing injuries after being ejected onto the road.
- The Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland identified multiple safety failings.
- Employers are reminded of their legal duty to ensure safe conditions during equipment loading.
The incident involving Belfast-based Balloo Hire Centre Ltd resulted in a substantial fine of £80,000 following the company’s admission of guilt to two health and safety charges. The case arose from an investigation conducted by the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) into a critical operational failure that occurred while loading equipment.
On the 4th of October, 2022, a significant operational mishap unfolded as a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) toppled from a trailer during the loading process. The platform was being manoeuvred by the operator from the basket, which culminated in the operator being ejected and sustaining grievous injuries upon impact with the road.
The comprehensive investigation by HSENI revealed that Balloo Hire had neglected to rigorously assess the risks associated with loading operations involving plant equipped with adjustable and retractable axles. Furthermore, the absence of a banksman to assist in the safe oversight and guidance of the loading operation was a notable deficiency identified in their protocols.
Compounding the safety oversights, the fact that this operation was carried out on a public thoroughfare meant not only the operator but also the general public was unnecessarily exposed to substantial risk, a concern underscored by HSENI’s findings.
Inspector Kevin Campbell of HSENI emphasised the importance of employers fulfilling their legal obligations to protect both employees and the public during machinery operations. He highlighted that standard procedures such as deploying appropriately trained banksmen are crucial where risk assessments warrant their necessity, and that firms must diligently implement control measures to avert similar incidents.
HSENI’s stern stance, as articulated by Inspector Campbell, underscores its commitment to prosecuting companies that fail to ensure safe working conditions, reiterating the critical nature of workplace safety regulation compliance.
The incident serves as a grave reminder of the consequences of overlooking safety protocols during equipment loading operations.
