Recycling firm fined after worker's jaw smashed

Date:

10 May 2011

Release No:

HSE/e/22-11

A worker at one of the UK's leading metal recyclers in the UK had his jaw shattered by the locking mechanism of the waste container on the vehicle he was driving

Heavy goods driver Dean Bridges, of Becketts Close in Maulden, had his jaw broken in several places and lost three teeth while attempting to open the rear door of the RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off) container he was driving at Ampthill Metal Company Ltd's Station Road industrial Estate site in Ampthill, Bedfordshire.

The skip door handle which caused Mr Bridges' injuries

The injury happened as Mr Bridges removed the locating pin from the handle holding the rear door of the container shut. The handle sprung out, striking Mr Bridges in the face

Bedford and Mid Beds Magistrates' Court heard Mr Bridges, 41, received 47 stitches and needed his jaw to be wired. He was unable to work for two months or eat solid food for three after the 22 September 2009 incident.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found the company had failed to ensure Mr Bridges' safety and found three similar incidents had occurred at the company's premises between 2002 and 2008, all involving workers being struck by container doors or container door handles.

Ampthill Metal Company Ltd pleaded not guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974. After a two day trial, which finished today, the firm was found guilty by magistrates and fined £15,000 with £21,718.05 costs.

After the hearing HSE inspector, Emma Rowlands, said:

"The risk of being struck by skip container doors within the waste industry is well known. Mr Bridges suffered serious facial injuries as a result of this incident, which was entirely preventable.

"HSE will not hesitate to prosecute companies who fail to take their health and safety obligations seriously."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 states: "It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees."

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