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Fairground death of worker on Twister ride: £47,000 fine

Writer's picture: Robert SpicerRobert Spicer

Fairground death: £47,000 fine

Health and Safety Executive v Stevens Amusements Ltd (2016) Northampton Crown Court, December 5

Statutory reference: s 3 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 (HSWA).

Stevens Amusements Ltd, a fairground company, has been fined following the death of a worker.

The facts

  • In April 2011 Michael O’Brian was working on the setting up of a fun fair at Wellingborough. A Twister ride was being manoeuvred into position from an HGV vehicle. O’Brian was run over and suffered fatal crush injuries.

  • A banksman was guiding the vehicle but he was on is passenger side. The deceased was found on the driver’s side.

  • Inadequate arrangements were in place to segregate people from moving vehicles.

The decision

Stevens Amusements Ltd was fined £47,000 plus £82,000 costs for a breach of s.3, HSWA.

An HSE inspector commented after the case that travelling fairs visit a large number of sites. A specific assessment of the risks must be made at each site before beginning hazardous activities

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