A Worcestershire spring and stampings manufacturer has been fined £40,000 after an employee suffered 12 fractured ribs when a pillar drill fell during a lifting operation.
The 36-year-old employee was working at The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited when the incident occurred in June.
Pillar drill became unstable
The employee had been assisting with the lifting of a newly purchased pillar drill using a forklift truck at the company’s premises on Enfield Industrial Estate in Redditch.
The pillar drill weighed approximately 500kg and became unstable during the lifting operation. It subsequently fell and struck the employee, causing multiple rib fractures.
HSE identifies planning failures
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks associated with the lifting operation.
HSE also found that the operation had not been properly planned by a competent person, appropriately supervised or carried out safely.
HSE provides an approved code of practice and guidance for employers, duty holders and others responsible for controlling lifting equipment.
Company fined £40,000
The Micro Spring and Presswork Company Limited, of Enfield Industrial Estate, Redditch, Worcestershire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 August 2026, the company was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £5,032 in costs.
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.”
