Crushed worker costs freight firm thousands
The worker of Bryan Alexander Ltd suffered life changing internal injuries as a result of being crushed by a hydraulic extension on one of its vehicles on the roadside in Plymouth.
Plymouth Magistrates Court heard how on January 7 2015 the worker was unloading one of the trailers.
As the man moved out of the way of another approaching vehicle, he came into the path of the hydraulic extension that he did not know was moving.
Failed to implement a safe system of work
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to implement a safe system of work for this work activity.
Bryan Alexander Ltd of Village Farm Industrial Estate, Pyle, Bridgend pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company was fined £46,667 and ordered to pay costs of £6,228.04.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Melissa Lai-Hung said: “This case highlights that duty holders have the responsibility to implement safe systems of work to avoid serious incidents like this.”
Meanwhile, the HSE prosecuted farming firm Maurice Mason Ltd last month at Norwich Crown Court, after an accident at a grain storage facility killed a worker.
Maurice Mason was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £22,000.
