Bury council employee James Lyth got into a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP), with no training, to straighten the town’s 20-foot tall Christmas tree.
The lift platform toppled over with him still in the basket.
The tree was being installed by an external company at Bury Market on 21st November 2022.
The 32-year-old operations manager suffered concussion and severe injuries to his right-hand side, including bruising to his ribs. He needed an operation to his leg and was left using a wheelchair and crutches after sustaining a large cut to his leg. Lyth was off work for two months and was subsequently only able to return on restricted hours and duties as he continued his recovery.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found that Bury Metropolitan Borough Council had failed to provide Lyth with any training in the safe operation of the lift and had failed carry out a sufficient risk assessment for this work activity.
The investigation also found that a suitable risk assessment of the work would have identified the dangers involved and the need to restrict the use of MEWPs to those with appropriate training.
Bury Metropolitan Borough Council pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs at a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 2nd April 2025.
HSE inspector Leanne Ratcliffe said after the hearing: “This was a very serious incident. It is important for industry to understand the importance of a risk assessment and training when using elevated platforms. Access to these platforms should be limited to those trained and anyone who isn’t trained shouldn’t be allowed to use them.
“If this sort of work is not planned and controlled to a high degree, then there is a very high likelihood of a potentially fatal fall, or one resulting in very serious injury.”