Company fined after man loses leg

Date:

12 October 2009

Release No:

HSE/EM/78

A man had to have his leg amputated after visiting a waste and recycling site in Ilkeston, a court heard today (16 December 2009).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) successfully prosecuted Donald Ward Ltd of Woodville near Burton-on-Trent, who were fined £10,000 with a £15 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £1,572 costs at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court today. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to ensure that people visiting their site at Griffon Road, Ilkeston were not exposed to health and safety risks.

The case was brought as a result of an incident on 16 January 2008, after a man was seriously injured. He was visiting the Donald Ward recycling plant and a pile of scrap metal suddenly moved, knocking a steel girder onto his legs. After the incident, the man had to have his left leg amputated below the knee and he also sustained serious injuries to his right leg.

HSE Inspector Andrew Turner said:

"Companies and individuals have duties to ensure that hazards created by their work activities are managed such that they do not put the health or safety of employees, or others, at risk.

"This case is a graphic example of what can go wrong when these duties are not rigorously managed and it is tragic that because of the failings outlined in Court today a young man has been so seriously injured."

Notes to editors

1. Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 states: "Every employer shall ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health and safety."
2. Please visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/waste/index.htm for more information about safety on waste and recycling sites specifically.

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and PR East Midlands.