28 February 2013

Safety warning - Collapse of racking system

The Incident
On the 16 March 2009 Desanka Todorovic, 44, asked a forklift-truck operator to retrieve some flat-pack boxes from racking inside the warehouse.

In order to access the boxes, the forklift operator used his vehicle to lift a pallet, which was positioned on top of the boxes. As he was lowering the pallet, the racking collapsed and several boxes of till rolls fell and landed on Mrs Todorovic, partially burying her underneath.

She died shortly afterwards from crush injuries.

The Prosecution
Mrs Todorovic's employer, Merley Paper Converters Ltd based in Corby was fined £70,000 by Northampton Crown Court on the 13th February 2013 and ordered to pay costs of £30,974 after pleading guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Merley Paper Converters Ltd admitted failing to adequately maintain a racking system, which collapsed, resulting in a worker’s sustaining fatal injuries from falling stock.

Action
All employers who have installed and use warehouse racking systems within their business should ensure that the following points are complied with:

• The racking system has been constructed by a competent installation team
• Each racking system displays information about its Safe Working Load (SWL)
• A workplace risk assessment has been carried out capturing safe loading and unloading of articles stored at height, and the restriction of individuals within this area
• Frequent monitoring arrangements of the installation to identify any damaged support beams and braces (Inspections should be documented upon a suitable inspection form)
• Horizontal beams are properly engaged in the uprights with locking pins installed
• All uprights have been secured to the floor (braced to the wall if applicable)
• Back to back racking should have sufficient space between the units (or have alternative controls), to prevent 'knock through' incidents
• Vulnerable uprights safeguarded by steel leg guards
• The system is maintained in an efficient state with third party inspections carried out annually or sooner, depending upon the risk assessment findings

For further advice please contact your regional BPIF Health, Safety and Environmental Adviser.