Fatal Accident at Corus Site in Staffordshire
On 4th January 2007, a freak accident at the Staffordshire factory of the steel maker Corus led to instant death of the Ross Beddow.
Ross Beddow, an employee of Hingley Transport Ltd was assigned the task of picking up the shipments on lorry from the Corus site. He was helping the Corus employees in the task of loading of MS Steel plates pile. One of the Corus employees was operating the crane when the accident took place. The pile of steel plates when lifted slid and fell down in a heap crushing to death Ross Beddow who was standing nearby.
The accident was investigated and Corus was fined £112,500 for violation of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, by the Stafford Crown Court.
Post accident investigation by HSE showed slackness in the safety standards practiced at site. The report also discerned a lack of supervision and delegation of duties in accordance with the safety process.
Dr. Wai-Kin Liu an inspector with HSE felt that Corus could have been proactive and definitely taken measures to avoid such an accident. He felt that not enough attention had been paid to evaluating the safety hazards involved in the particular activity.
In his opinion, Corus is lacking in implementing fool proof and safe processes. Though accidents do occur due to the human errors, it does not take away the responsibility on the part of the employer in ensuring highest safety standards are maintained and risks avoided.
Mr. Charles Feeny from Corus conveyed sympathies with the victim and in defence presented the safety and security SOPs maintained and practiced by Corus at the site. He also informed that strict monitoring and audit of the safety and security systems are being followed now. This area being given utmost priority by the management has been consistency in processes being followed at the plant.
The Health and Safety Policy is a key factor of any organisations health and safety management system. Workplace Law can assist in establishing good practices by addressing problems and rectifying deficiencies. Organisations can achieve compliance with Occupational Health and Safety Accreditation Standard (OHSAS 18001) by demonstrating legal and regulatory compliance with improved policies and performance to successfully manage health and safety hazards and risks.