Firm prosecuted for safety failings after worker death

A 55-year old man was killed in a workplace accident whilst working for a London-based car mat manufacturer.

Balbir Rayatt was employed as an engineering and maintenance manager at Cannon Automotive Limited in Tottenham when the accident occurred. He was carrying out repairs and maintenance work on a rubber-mixing machine when a steel fabrication barrier fell onto his head in 2008.

Following the accident, The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation which revealed that the barrier had not been stored in the correct manner. It was found to have been stored in a vertical position, unsecured against containers.

HSE prosecuted the firm at City of London Magistrates’ Court for failing to assess the safety risks or implement a safe system of work for the maintenance on the machines to be carried out. Cannon Automotive Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Neil Fry, HSE Inspector, said, “This tragic death was utterly preventable. Poor standards and failure to keep working environments in a good condition are a major cause of these types of incidents and also occupational diseases.

“Maintenance is a process that affects every aspect of safety and health and when a tragedy such as this occurs it demonstrates the importance of planning when carrying out maintenance work,” he added.

The firm was fined £20,000 plus costs of £13,100.