09.12.2008

HSE Issues Warning to Construction Companies Following Leg Amputation

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning construction companies to ensure they provide safe systems of work after part of a man's leg was amputated when a tipper truck fell onto him, trapping him against a pile of brick rubble.

M.J.Curle Ltd was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,500 at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday 5th December 2008, after pleading guilty to breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Principal site contractor Anthony Wilson Homes Ltd pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to breaching sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulation 3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. The court imposed a fine of £25,000 with costs of £10,000 on Anthony Wilson Homes Ltd for its greater responsibility for the lack of site safety and heard that the company had gone into liquidation.

The HSE investigation commenced after an incident on 24th May 2005 when a tipper truck carrying 'tar-covered road-rubble' toppled onto its side trapping a workman by his foot, necessitating amputation of part of his left leg.

HSE inspector Katharine Walker said:-

"All employers have a responsibility to ensure that safe working practices are in place and that suitable risk assessments are undertaken because failure to do so could cost lives, as well as result in enforcement action from HSE. In this instance a man lost part of a limb and his life has been dramatically affected because of these failings."