An advertising printing company based in Cardiff has been ordered to pay a £400,000 fine following the death of a maintenance worker who sustained fatal injuries while repairing an industrial overhead door.
The Incident
On September 5, 2022, 59-year-old Anthony (Tony) Webb, an employee of GNW 2023 Realisations Limited in Pontprennau, was performing maintenance on an electrically operated sectional overhead door at the company's manufacturing facility. Mr Webb was attempting to re-tension the door springs using an industrial wrench when the tool slipped. The spring unwound uncontrollably, ejecting the wrench and striking him. He suffered catastrophic injuries and died the next day.
HSE Investigation Findings
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that the company had failed to properly maintain the electrically operated sectional overhead doors at the site, despite two earlier incidents involving failing doors that had injured employees. The company did not implement a routine inspection or preventative maintenance programme, allowing the doors to deteriorate into a poor condition.
Furthermore, Mr Webb had repeatedly been allowed to carry out door repairs despite lacking suitable training. The company failed to conduct a proper risk assessment, establish a safe system of work, or provide appropriate tools and equipment.
Legal Requirements
HSE guidance states that powered sectional overhead doors are classified as work equipment and must comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Equipment must be suitable for use, maintained in a safe condition, and inspected by a competent person to ensure ongoing safety.
Court Proceedings
GNW 2023 Realisations Limited, based at Avenue Industrial Estate, Croescadarn Close, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. At Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 17, the company was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £17,854 in costs.
Victim Impact Statement
In a victim impact statement, Mr Webb's wife Ewelina Webb said: “It is still very raw and I feel like I am on a rollercoaster. I still find it difficult to talk about Tony without breaking down crying. Tony and I were together 24/7. Tony liked fixing and repairing things for friends and neighbours. He was a cheeky chap, everyone loved him. I still meet up with Tony’s friends who are my friends also. I find it difficult when we talk about things and Tony isn’t there to experience it. Every day when I wake up it is like a cloud hanging over me. Some days I just cry without knowing I am going to.”
HSE Comment
HSE Inspector Georgina Bennett added: “This incident was entirely avoidable. The maintenance of industrial doors is a high-risk activity involving stored energy within door springs; it requires specialist equipment and should only be carried out by people who are properly trained. This company failed to recognise those risks, and despite two previous incidents involving overhead doors, had not carried out regular maintenance to detect and deal with the deterioration in their condition. Were it not for these failures Tony Webb's death could have been prevented. Our thoughts remain with his loved ones as they mourn his loss.”
