NEWS LOCAL AUTHORITY FINED AFTER
WORKER’S LEG CRUSHED Pendle Borough Council has been charged after a worker’s leg was crushed by a refuse collection vehicle.
Burnley Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 30 October 2015, Dominic Allen, a labourer with Pendle Borough Council, was struck by a large refuse vehicle whilst at work in Nelson, Lancashire. At the time of the incident, three refuse vehicles were in the immediate vicinity. Mr Allen suffered severe crush injuries which resulted in surgery to remove his lower right leg.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the Council had neglected to properly identify the well-known hazards posed by refuse collection operations. Consequently, the council had failed to devise safe working methods and provide the
necessary information and training to their workers to prevent harm arising.
Pendle Borough Council of Market Square Nelson, Lancashire pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc act 1974. Total fines of £40,000 were imposed with costs of £14,000.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Leona Cameron said: “Pendle Borough Council did not do enough to protect people from the dangers presented by refuse collection vehicles. If the risks had been properly identified and a suitable system of work had been in place prior to the incident, the life- changing injuries sustained by Mr Allen could have been prevented.
“HSE has worked closely with the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) which has produced several guidance booklets specific to this industry,” she continued.
THEME PARK OPERATOR CHARGED FOR CIRCULAR
SAW INCIDENT The operator of Twinlakes Family Theme Park at Melton Mowbray has been fined after one of its employees was badly injured whilst using a circular saw.
Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard how on, 9 October 2017, the injured person was part of the maintenance team for the park. He was using a Wadkin circular saw. After cutting a piece of wood, he pressed the stop button and went round the saw to collect the cut pieces of wood. In reaching for the wood, his hand caught the rotating saw blade, severing his thumb and all four fingers on his right hand.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company had failed to fit the saw with a brake to stop the blade safely after being switched off. The investigation also found the company had not provided the employee
with appropriate training in the use of this machine.
B B & B Leisure Parks Limited of Ruby Farm, Blackawton, Devon was found guilty of breaching Regulation 9 (1) and 15 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £57,600 and ordered to pay costs of £1,874.80
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Neil Ward said: “The company had identified that the saw needed a brake, but had not yet fitted one. It also should not have allowed an untrained worker to use a woodwork machine such as this saw.
“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures which may include both hardware measures and training to effectively control risks.”
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