An Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation has lead to a fine of more than £600,000 after a worker suffered life-changing injuries
The worker, Richard Ogunleye, was working for Tarmac Building Products Limited win Linford, Essex.
In 2022, he entered a fenced area to clean and inspect frames, when he became trapped and his legs crushed by machinery.
A massive health and safety failure
When entering the fenced area, employees had to pass through an interlocked gate. This gate is supposed to prevent frames from continuing to move along the trackway. The frames carry large blocks through their manufacturing process.
When Richard was in the area to clean and inspect, he was unexpectedly struck by another moving frame, pinning him between two frames and crushing his legs. The frames then continued along the track, taking Richard with them.
As the frames moved over axles, Richard’s right leg was broken and the left severely bruised. A colleague rushed over to press the emergency stop.
Richard then needed two weeks in hospital for surgery including a metal rod and screws put into his right leg. He also needed more than a year of physiotherapy before being able to return to work.
Following the HSE investigation, it was found that the building materials manufacture company both failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery, and failed to prevent frames from moving when in the danger zone, as the gate which was meant to do exactly this failed.
In the court proceedings, the company pleaded guilty to these failures, and were fined £633,300, as well as £5,583 in costs and a victim surcharge of £2,000.
“Employers need to ensure that dangerous machinery is guarded effectively”
HSE inspector, Connor Stowers, said: “This was a serious and entirely avoidable incident, which has had profound consequences for Mr. Ogunleye, and were it not for the quick action of a fellow worker, the injuries he sustained could have been worse.
“Employers need to ensure that dangerous machinery is guarded effectively, and this goes beyond the initial installation. Employers should frequently monitor how effective their measures are and make changes as needed. Monitoring arrangements should include properly investigating near misses and previous incidents.
“In this case, had the previous near misses on the block production line at Tarmac Linford been fully investigated and sufficient action taken, this life-changing injury would never have occurred.”
HSE guidance on safe use of equipment can be found here.
