A recent court case has spotlighted the urgent need for work at height safety in industrial settings. Knowles Logistics Limited, a Cambridgeshire transport company, received a £133,000 fine after one of its employees fell from a sugar beet conveyor while trying to clear a blockage.
The incident happened in November 2023. The worker climbed the side of the conveyor to remove waste manually and suffered serious injuries, including broken ribs, a punctured lung, and liver damage. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and discovered that the conveyor frequently blocked during shifts. Workers often had no choice but to climb the machinery to fix the issue, as the company hadn’t implemented a safe system of work.
“Falls from height are one of the biggest causes of workplace fatalities and major injuries,” said HSE Inspector Natalie Prince. “This was a wholly avoidable incident.”
Sugar beet conveyor
🔍 Why Work at Height Safety Matters
Work at height includes any task where a fall could cause injury. This doesn’t just apply to rooftops or scaffolding, it also covers machinery, ladders, and platforms. Without proper planning, supervision, and equipment, the risks increase significantly.
In this case, the lack of a safe system of work meant that employees were exposed to repeated hazards. The conveyor’s design and operation required manual intervention, yet no risk assessment had been carried out to address the dangers of climbing the equipment. This failure to plan and supervise work at height directly led to the incident.
At Green Hat Consulting, we help businesses implement safe systems of work, conduct risk assessments, and ensure compliance with HSE regulations. Learn more about our Workplace Safety Services and Risk Assessment Support.
✅ How to Prevent Similar Incidents
- Assess equipment for recurring risks like blockages or manual access
- Develop written procedures for maintenance and emergency tasks
- Provide appropriate access tools such as mobile platforms or harnesses
- Train staff in safe working practices and hazard awareness
- Review and update RAMS regularly to reflect operational changes
Our Services: Health & Safety Services
More Information: HSE Press Release
