Company fined after two men fall from crane at Port of Blyth

One man fractured his ribs, wrist and eye socket in a fall at the Port of Blyth

A heavy-lifting company has been fined after two men fell from a crane.

On 19 January 2021, two employees of Osprey Heavy Lift Limited fell when the platform of a crane partially collapsed at the Port of Blyth, Northumberland.

Despite both men wearing safety equipment, one man fell about 4m (13ft) and suffered serious injuries.

The company was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,136 after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

The platform was being installed using four lifting chains. Two of the chains came off the lugs and one side of the platform fell to the ground.

Both men fell from the platform with one operative suffering serious injuries, including fractures to his ribs, right wrist, and eye socket.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the company failed to properly plan the lift and therefore unsuitable lifting accessories were used.

The company was also found to have failed to provide appropriate instructions and information for working at height and performing lifting operations.

At South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on 7 November, Osprey Heavy Lift Ltd of Portishead, Bristol, Somerset pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.