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The company, which admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, has been handed a £40,000 fine following the workplace accident

A worker has been left with serious injuries after a 500kg pillar drill toppled onto the employee.

The 36-year-old man fractured 12 of his ribs while he was helping to move the recently acquired pillar drill.

The employee was using a forklift truck at the Enfield Industrial Estate facility when the incident occurred.

Following the incident at the Redditch site in June 2024, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched an inquiry.

Investigators determined that The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited, a spring and stampings producer, had not carried out an adequate risk assessment for the lifting operation that led to the worker's injuries.

The HSE probe further established that the firm had failed to ensure the operation was organised by a suitably competent individual

The appropriate oversight and safe working procedures were notably absent.

The Worcestershire company admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

They have been handed a £40,000 fine following the workplace accident.

The case was heard at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Monday.

In addition to the fine, the court directed the firm to pay £5,032 in costs.

HSE has published an approved code of practice alongside guidance aimed at employers and other duty holders responsible for the control of lifting equipment.

HSE inspector Charlie Rowe said: "This was a serious incident which has resulted in significant injury and was entirely preventable.

"Employers should always ensure lifting operations are properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. This firm’s failure to do so has had dramatic consequences.

"HSE has produced a wealth of guidance to assist employers in keeping people safe, but where companies fall short we will not hesitate to take action.”

HSE enforcement lawyer Julian White brought the prosecution against the company.

Paralegal officer Farhat Basir provided support on the case.

GB News has contacted the Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited for comment.