Man Suffers Crush Injuries in Accident at Work

A Bedfordshire based company has been fined after a man suffered crush injuries in an accident at work.

Accident at work in Leighton Buzzard

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how an employee of BS Trailer Services Ltd was arranging the movement of lorry trailers in the firm’s transport yard in Leighton Buzzard, on 15 September 2015.

A second employee was helping by driving a tractor unit; however the court heard that there was confusion over which trailer the driver of the tractor unit was to move first.

He moved the tractor unit to attach to the trailer his colleague was looking at, but could not see him due to a ‘blind-spot’. He reversed the tractor unit and trapped the other worker between this and the trailer.

The driver of the tractor unit heard the man’s shout and was able to stop the vehicle swiftly. The other worker sustained six broken ribs in the incident.

Health and Safety investigation

A Health and Safety investigation into the accident at work found that the yard was not organised in a way that allowed the safe movement of both pedestrians and traffic. Safe routes had not been identified and suitable measures had not been taken to avert danger.

Furthermore, the investigation into the accident at work found that three other firms utilised the yard, each with their own employees and visitors.

Sentencing and fines

BS Trailer Services Ltd of Kings Farm Industrial Estate, Great Billington, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire pleaded guilty to breaches of Regulation 3 (a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

The company was fined a total of £25,000 and costs of £1,599.50.

HSE Inspector Robert Meardon said:

“A Traffic Management Plan agreed with the tenant businesses would have identified areas of segregation and measures for the separation of vehicles and people with barriers and clear signage. This had not been carried out and implemented.

“The injuries could easily have been fatal and I want to say to all companies that they need to consider and take measures to reduce the risk of people being injured by the movement of vehicles on their site; this is one of the most common causes of accidents. There are more than 5,000 accidents involving transport in the workplace every year, some of which are fatal.”

Accident at work compensation – expert advice

Compensation may be available if you have been injured in an accident at work that wasn’t your fault. More information can be found via our ‘Accidents at Work’ page.

To begin your accident at work claim, contact us today. Remember, we offer you a FREE no obligation-consultation. Call 0800 888 6 888 or email .

Source: Health & Safety Executive