A Somerset construction firm has been fined £10,000 after a worker's foot was crushed under a paving machine - and he had to have his lower leg amputated.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the firm for it’s role in the incident which occurred on 29 August 2008.
Taunton Magistrates Court heard that the victim, who worked for the company as a delivery driver, was carrying out some relief road work on the day of the incident. As he cleared material from the front of the surface paving machine, his foot became trapped and crushed between a speed bump and a bar at the front of the machine.
The damage to his right foot was so severe that he had to have his lower leg amputated. He still works for the company as a driver, but has to use a specially adapted van.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. As well as the fine it was also ordered to pay £8,015 in costs.
Commenting on the case, an inspector from the HSE said:
"Although the surface paver is a slow-moving machine, it is not safe for anyone to work in front of it while it is in motion as it can be noisy, making communication difficult.
"The victim suffered life-changing injuries because the machine was in motion and the driver had limited forward visibility because of the way the machine was designed. In fact the driver did not know the victim was trapped until he was told to reverse off him.
"The victim has been able to return to work now that the company has provided him with a suitable vehicle. However, it all could have been avoided if the company had put the right systems in place to ensure the safety of all people working with or near this machine."
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the firm for it’s role in the incident which occurred on 29 August 2008.
Taunton Magistrates Court heard that the victim, who worked for the company as a delivery driver, was carrying out some relief road work on the day of the incident. As he cleared material from the front of the surface paving machine, his foot became trapped and crushed between a speed bump and a bar at the front of the machine.
The damage to his right foot was so severe that he had to have his lower leg amputated. He still works for the company as a driver, but has to use a specially adapted van.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. As well as the fine it was also ordered to pay £8,015 in costs.
Commenting on the case, an inspector from the HSE said:
"Although the surface paver is a slow-moving machine, it is not safe for anyone to work in front of it while it is in motion as it can be noisy, making communication difficult.
"The victim suffered life-changing injuries because the machine was in motion and the driver had limited forward visibility because of the way the machine was designed. In fact the driver did not know the victim was trapped until he was told to reverse off him.
"The victim has been able to return to work now that the company has provided him with a suitable vehicle. However, it all could have been avoided if the company had put the right systems in place to ensure the safety of all people working with or near this machine."