Man Suffers Fatal Injuries in "Entirely Avoidable" Workplace Accident

A man suffered fatal injuries while trying to fix a door at his workplace in an "entirely avoidable" incident, the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.

Anthony Webb, 59, was trying to repair an industrial overhead door at the advertising printing company where he worked in Cardiff on 5 September 2022 when he suffered "catastrophic" injuries. He died the following day.

The HSE said the maintenance of industrial doors was a "high-risk" activity requiring "specialist equipment", and that the company had "failed to recognise those risks".

"I feel like I am on a rollercoaster. I still find it difficult to talk about Tony without breaking down crying," she said.

Anthony was attempting to re-tension the electrically-operated sectional overhead doors at the site using an industrial wrench when the tool slipped, according to the HSE.

The spring unwound in an uncontrolled manner, causing the wrench to be ejected and strike him. His injuries were described as "catastrophic".

An HSE investigation found the company had failed to adequately maintain the doors, despite two previous incidents involving failing doors that had injured employees.

It said the company had not implemented a programme of routine inspection or preventative maintenance, and that Anthony had repeatedly been permitted to carry out repairs to the doors despite not being suitably trained to undertake the work.

The company had also failed to carry out a suitable risk assessment, establish a safe system of work, or provide appropriate tools and equipment, the HSE said.

In a victim impact statement, Ewelina said she and her husband were "together 24/7".

"Tony liked fixing and repairing things for friends and neighbours. He was a cheeky chap, everyone loved him," she said.

"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 inspector Georgina Bennett said: "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.