Company fined after worker suffers hand injuries

PD Lift Services Limited has been fined £36,000 after a worker lost his thumb while working on passenger lifts in north London.

Westminster Magistrates Court heard how the worker was replacing the lifts at Tufnell Park underground station. On 26th October 2015, while lowering and guiding weights down the lift void, the load fell and amputated his thumb.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the lifting activity was not properly planned, or carried out safely. All four employees of PD Lifts were also exposed to serious work at height risks.

PD Lift Services Limited of Wimpole Street, London pleaded guilty, was fined £36,000 and was ordered to pay full costs of £1173.60, plus a victim surcharge of £120.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Robinson said: “This was a preventable incident which happened as a direct result of the failure of PD Lift Services Limited to plan the lifting operation, or carry it out safely.”

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
  2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
  3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk