Engineering firm in court after employee crushed
An engineering company based in Basingstoke has been in court after one of its employees was crushed between a telehandler and a steel post.
What happened?
The 42-year-old employee had been asked to act as a lookout during an impromptu operation that took place to enable workers to move a broken-down telehandler.
The workers decided to reverse an HGV up to the vehicle, in order to push it the few feet needed move it into the unit.
However the employee became trapped between the telehandler and the post, and although freed within a few minutes he suffered serious crush injuries.
He was in hospital for four months, and had to have his pancreas and spleen removed. He has yet to be able to return to work.
What was the outcome?
RVC Engineering Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £6,600 and ordered to pay £1,087 in costs.
HSE Inspector, Pete Collingwood, said:
“A worker suffered a very serious injury from what was
perceived to be an innocuous operation. It was an
entirely preventable injury as the maneovre
could have been conducted without the
need for his involvement.
“Crush injuries are common from reversing vehicles in industry.
RVC Engineering should have planned this operation
carefully despite it being of a short duration
and then ensured the whole thing
was adequately supervised.”
If you have been affected by an accident at work, and you would like expert advice, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email
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