Boat yard fined after worker loses finger

St Olaves Marina was fined after a member of staff was hurt during a boat lift

A boat yard has been fined after a man lost his finger in a "wholly avoidable" incident during a boat lift, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said.

The man, who was employed by Northern Divers (Engineering), was injured while assisting with a boat being lifted by a telehandler operated at St Olaves Marina near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, on 17 March 2023.

His hand was crushed by the telehandler forks which resulted in his fourth finger on his right hand being amputated.

An investigation by the HSE found the marina, on the River Waveney, failed to implement measures to control the risks involved in lifting operations and staff had not received appropriate training for such tasks.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 states employers must take effective measures to safeguard their employees and persons not employed by them from the risks created by their work activities.

St Olaves Marina pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £5,700 in costs plus an £800 victim surcharge at Norwich Magistrates' Court on the 3 October.

HSE inspector Christopher Booker said: "Every year, a significant proportion of accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur as a result of poorly planned and managed work activities.

"In this case, a wholly avoidable incident was caused by the failure to conduct and carry out a simple lift plan. Had the company suitably planned the lifting of the boat, this life-changing injury would not have occurred."