An HSE investigation has found a Liverpool repairer guilty of negligence after a vehicle fell off a lift onto a technician causing multiple injuries.
Car Spa and Tyres was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs after its employee sustained a broken leg, three broken bones in his spine, five broken ribs and a broken pelvis.
The investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the vehicle fell after neither swivel arms on one of the lifting columns had been locked into place.
Car Spa and Tyres was found guilty of not installing sufficient safety systems or providing sufficient training around operating the lift.
Significant damage
The injured technician, who suffered the injuries while on his break, spent four months in hospital and is unlikely to ever work again.
HSE inspector David Bellis said: This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was killed as a result. If the injured man had been suitably trained in the use of the two-post lift, the company had a suitable system of work in place and the swivel arms had been positioned correctly and locked into place this incident would have been avoided.
“The HSE take all accidents seriously, especially those that could have been easily prevented, and will not hesitate to prosecute, whenever it is appropriate.”
The has published guidance around safely operating under vehicle.
