A fatality occurred in a non-UK operation as a result of a mesh panel that gave way on a walkway. On investigation it was found that the clips retaining the panel may have loosened due to vibration allowing the floor mesh panel to move on its supporting steelwork. The distance between the lateral supports of the floor mesh was greater than the width of the panel. The movement of the panel left one edge unsupported and lead to it giving way under the weight of a worker.

Anecdotally, MPA has been informed of other similar incidents that have had serious potential and have resulted in relatively minor injuries, but could easily have resulted in a serious injury or death. (Corrosion can also affect structural integrity and corrosion can be hidden by spillage, for example).

• Undertake a review of elevated walkways and platforms on your site to ensure these unsafe conditions do not exist
• Check that systems are in place to ensure that the condition of elevated walkways and platforms are routinely inspected
• Ensure that reports on the condition of elevated walkways and platforms are reviewed and appropriate action is taken to address potentially unsafe conditions
• Report adverse findings (and HiPo's) to help to further raise awareness of the importance of checking walkways and platforms.

Incident alerts and High Potential Incidents can be notified to MPA

By E mail to;

• Colin.mew@mineralproducts.org
• Chris.leese@mineralproducts.org
• David.yelland@mineralproducts.org

Or directly via Safequarry https://www.safequarry.com/home/incident-alerts.aspx