The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has served an improvement notice on XPO Transport Solutions UK Ltd following an incident at Dungeness B Power Station in Kent.
An XPO Transport Solutions employee suffered serious leg injuries and required hospital treatment after an accident involving a vending machine.
The incident occurred when employees from the Northamptonshire-based company were moving the vending machine down a staircase. They lost control of the machine, resulting in it falling onto one of the workers.
This was a conventional health and safety matter and there was no risk to nuclear safety, the public or the environment as a result of the incident in March.
Mike Webb, ONR’s Superintending Inspector for Operating Facilities, said: “Our investigation found that the equipment, a stair climber, selected by XPO Transport Solutions UK Ltd to remove the vending machine from the building at the site was not suitable for this particular working environment.
“This presented additional health and safety risks for employees due to the use of this equipment on a staircase with limited space, resulting in the injury to the worker.
“We will engage with XPO Transport Solutions UK Ltd during the period of the improvement notice to ensure positive progress is made to address the shortfall.”
ONR issued the improvement notice to XPO Transport Solutions UK Ltd under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 Section 2(1) The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Regulation 4(2).
The company has until 2 December 2024 to comply with the notice.