A UK marina has been fined after a man was injured during a boat lift at the site.
The incident happened at St Olaves Marina in the Norfolk Broads in May 2023, and resulted in the amputation of the man’s finger.
The man, who was employed by Northern Divers (Engineering), was injured while assisting with a work boat being lifted by a telehandler operated by St Olaves Marina staff.
As the boat was being raised, the man’s hand was crushed by the telehandler forks which resulted in the fourth finger on his right hand being amputated.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined that St Olaves Marina had failed to implement suitable measures to control the risks involved in lifting operations and that staff had not received appropriate training for such tasks.
Fine and costs
St Olaves Marina pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The company was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £5,700 in costs by Norwich Magistrates Court.
“Every year, a significant proportion of accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur as a result of poorly planned and managed work activities,” said HSE inspector Christopher Booker.
Life-changing injury
“In this case, a wholly avoidable incident was caused by the failure to conduct and carry out a simple lift plan.
“Had the company suitably planned the lifting of the boat, this life-changing injury would not have occurred.”
This HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Karen Park and paralegal Melissa Wardle.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states that employers must take effective measures to safeguard their employees and persons not employed by them from the risks created by their work activities.
