National Grid fined £3.2million after pylon worker suffers serious burns
The National Grid has been fined more than £3million after its failures left a father-of-two with life-changing injuries from working on a pylon in South Wales.
Justin Hollins was working replacing step bolts on the pylon at Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, when he received an electric shock of 33 thousand volts. The 50-year-old sustained burns to 40 per cent of his body, including to his arms and legs, and also lost part of his right buttock.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc and 4 Power Ltd both received fines in relation to the incident, which happened on 3 December 2020.
The incident happened on 3 December 2020
Mr Hollins, who had six operations in the space of his first 10 days in hospital, told of how he required 24 hour care for months afterwards.
“This was a very difficult time, with relentless operations and endless, painful changing of dressings.
“Every day was a huge battle.
“I stopped needing to attend hospital appointments in August 2022 but will remain a burns patient for the rest of my life.
“At the time of my accident I was in peak physical condition, which I was told by the hospital is probably the reason I survived.
“I have been stripped of the opportunity to provide for me family doing the job I loved.
“Although I appreciate that I have been lucky to survive, I have to live with the physical and mental effects of the accident for life. I also have to live with the uncertainty of the long term damage 33 thousands volts have done to my internal organs.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard that Mr Hollins, also suffered nerve damage that affects mobility, was wearing a climbing harness and left hanging on the pylon for some time before being rescued by his colleagues.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that 4 Power Ltd who are based at Unit 1b, Iddenshall Hall Farm in Cheshire, failed to properly plan and assess the risk. Had this been done, it would have identified that the arms of pylon were too short to do the work safely, while maintaining the specified safety distances as per industry standard. National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc who are based at Avonbank, Feeder Road, Bristol failed to ensure that the electricity was off in order to do this work safely on the pylon.
4 Power Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and have been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,123.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) Plc pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and have been fined £3.2million and ordered to pay costs of £20,460.
Speaking after the hearing HSE Inspector Rhys Hughes said: “The injuries sustained by Mr Hollins have been truly life-changing. He is lucky to be alive.
“Those in control of work have a responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information and instruction to workers.
“What is so frustrating in incidents like these is if a safe system of work had been in place before the incident, his injuries would have been prevented.
“HSE provides advice and guidance to employers and workers unsure of what their duties are or how to comply for free on hse.gov.uk.”
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Iain Jordan and supported by HSE paralegal officer Sarah Thomas.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
Routine HSE inspection results in £150,000 fine for food manufacturer
A North London food manufacturer has been fined £150,000 for failing to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery.
The failings came to light following a routine inspection by Britain’s workplace regulator – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in October 2023.
During the visit to Wembley-based Oriental Delight (UK) Limited, the HSE inspector identified multiple failings related to the guarding of machinery. Three machines were deemed unsafe due to interlocking safety devices being defeated and guards being completely removed.
Planetary Mixer missing guard
However, it wasn’t the first time the food company had come onto HSE’s radar , with prohibition notices being issued in both 2016 and 2019.
Identical guarding failings were again found at the inspection in October 2023, demonstrating that the company had not only failed to sustain improvements, but had effectively ignored HSE’s previous enforcement action by continuing to use these machines in an unsafe manner.
Mochi making machine with missing front guard
On 4 September 2024, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Oriental Delight (UK) Limited pleaded guilty to three breaches of Regulation 11(1) of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,020.
Following the hearing, HSE Inspector Marcus Pope said: “This case sends out a clear message to the food manufacturing industry that HSE will not hesitate to prosecute when inspectors find serious health and safety failings, particularly when previous enforcement and advice has been provided.”
“Once again we see how critical it is that all employers make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous parts of machinery.”
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and supported by HSE paralegal officer Imogen Isaac.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
An Essex-based tyre refurbishment company has been fined £54,000 following a worker sustaining significant injuries after being drawn into a machine.
Neal Hetherington was working for D&D Commercial Services Limited at its premises on Lamson Road in Rainham, when the incident happened on 19 August 2021.
The company, which specialises in commercial tyre re-treading, was given the fine as a result of the 42-year-old coming into contact with the spinning blades of a tyre buffing machine. The machine had been freewheeling to a stop after being used, when he was drawn into it by his t-shirt, which resulted in part of his torso being shredded.
Mr Hetherington, from Woodford Green, required immediate hospital treatment for his injuries and was off work for several months afterwards.
Moveable tyre buffing machine arm with orange rasp covers open
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that D&D Commercial Services Limited had failed to ensure that the hold-to-run controls were working as they should, and that the brake on the bladed rotating rasp was operational. The brake should have stopped the rasp moving immediately on letting go of the controls, but in fact, would continue to freewheel for approximately five minutes before coming to rest.
HSE prosecuted D&D Commercial Services under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for its failure to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its employees. The company did not enter a plea.
The court found the company guilty following a hearing at Westminster Magistrates Court on 4 September 2024. They were fined £54,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,000.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Oscar Dower said “This case sends a clear message to industry that HSE will hold companies to account if they fail to protect their workers.
“The company allowed its workers to use a machine that was not adequately braked or guarded, leading to significant and wholly avoidable injuries to one of its employees. If the company had ensured the machine’s safety features were working as they should have been, this would not have happened.
“Companies should ensure that safety features of work equipment always remain functional, so that workers are kept safe whilst using machinery.”
This HSE prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Arfaq Nabi and Matt Reynolds and HSE Paralegal Officer Imogen Issac.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
Farmer gives grandchildren rides in tractor: footage released
Video footage taken by a neighbour captured the moment a farmer allowed one of his grandchildren to illegally ride in his tractor and ultimately led to his conviction.
William Howard Walters, 78, was given a 12 month community order after he was spotted with the child in the tractor cab as he fed cattle on his farm in South Wales.
Walters had already been issued with a prohibition notice by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in November 2020 after admitting to inspectors he allowed his pre-teen grandchildren to ride in his tractor. However, just two months later, he was filmed by his neighbour flagrantly breaching the terms of that notice.
A HSE inspector who investigated Mr Walters says the law is “very clear”. Children under 13 are specifically prohibited from driving or riding on or in any agricultural machine, including the tractor cab.
At the time of committing the offence, Walters, of Tirmynydd Farm in Birchgrove, Swansea, was already the subject of a suspended prison sentence for unrelated environmental offences. In a case that was heard on 27 August 2024 at Swansea Crown Court, he was fined £500 for breaching the terms of that sentence. As part of his community order, Walters must attend 25 days of rehabilitation.
Agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in Britain, with on average around 29 people killed each year. Being killed by vehicles remains the most significant cause of work related fatality over the last five years.
Unfortunately, children are among those deaths with it often being the case that they are family members, with many killed by farm vehicles.
How farmers can keep children safe:
Children must not be allowed in the farm workplace (young children should enjoy outdoor space in a secure fenced area).
Any access to the farm workplace by children under 16, for example for education, or knowledge / experience, must be planned and fully supervised by an adult not engaged in any work activity.
Children under the age of 13 years are specifically prohibited from driving or riding on any agricultural machine. It is illegal.
Properly trained, instructed, and supervised older children may, in tightly controlled circumstances, be able to help with some straightforward low risk tasks.
Howard Walters, of Tirmynydd Farm in Birchgrove, Swansea, pleaded guilty to breaching section 33(1)(g) Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was given a 12 month community order and ordered to pay £3,000 in costs.
HSE inspector Simon Breen said: “The law around children being allowed in the cabs of any agricultural vehicle is very clear. For any child to ride on agricultural machinery like a tractor is unsafe and illegal.
“The fact this farmer chose to ignore a prohibition notice for putting his grandchildren at risk is all the more staggering.
“We will take action against those who break the law.
“The solution is very simple – young children should never ride in agricultural vehicles.”
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
Grampian Health Board prosecuted after death of patient
Grampian Health Board has been prosecuted after the death of a patient in Aberdeen.
Grampian Health Board, also referred to as NHS Grampian, pleaded guilty following the death of 40-year-old Vincent Mulsant at the Royal Cornhill Hospital on 28 March 2020.
The Board is responsible for commissioning health and care services for the residents in the local authority areas of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
Mr Mulsant had been admitted to the hospital on 31 December 2019. He had managed to abscond from the ward in two separate incidents, on 19 and 22 February, which resulted in him being placed under constant supervision.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Grampian Health Board had failed to adequately manage the risks posed to a patient’s health and safety.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard how on 28 March, two staff members found Mr Mulsant lying on the bathroom floor. Despite their efforts and those of paramedics in attendance, Mr Mulsant was pronounced dead at the scene.
As a result of this incident, changes have been made to the management of in-patient wards within Royal Cornhill Hospital.
On 8 August 2024, Grampian Health Board pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and were fined £60,000 with a £4,500 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the case an HSE spokesperson said: “This tragic case highlights the need for suitable and sufficient systems to be put in place to ensure that vulnerable patients are kept safe while they are in hospital.”
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
Multi-national food company fined after worker loses fingers
A multi-national food company has been fined more than £300,000 after one of its workers lost four fingers on his right hand while unblocking a machine at a site in Glasgow.
Kerry Ingredients (UK) Limited received the fine following an incident at its factory in Hillington on 4 August 2021. The 39-year-old man was working on a mixer at the site, where dry seasoning blends and mixes are manufactured for the food industry.
During the mixing process the machine began to develop a blockage, which the worker attempted to clear by inserting his right hand into the machine. However, as he did so, it came into contact with the rotating blades which resulted in the amputation of four of his fingers. Since the incident, the man has had to re-learn how to do everything with his left hand.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) established that there were no fixed guards preventing access to the blades from the underside. It also found there were not any interlocked guards which would stop the rotating parts if any component on the underside of the mixer were to be removed.
Kerry Ingredients (UK) Limited of Bradley Road, Bristol pleaded guilty on 26 July 2024 to a contravention of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988, Regulations 11(1) and (2) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act
1974, Section 33(1)(c). At a further hearing on 8 August 2024, the company was fined £360,000.
HSE principal inspector Hazel Dobb said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
Builder avoids immediate prison sentence after failing to protect workers
A builder has been given a suspended prison sentence after he put the lives of workers at risk on a construction site in London.
David Beadle, trading as Beadle the Builders, failed to comply with a prohibition notice issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to unsafe working at height at the site on Woodyates Road in South East London.
Falls from height remain the leading cause of death within the construction industry and HSE has published guidance about how these incidents can be avoided.
The scaffold was a potentially dangerous structure at risk of collapse and in breach of the HSE prohibition notice.
A proactive investigation by HSE found Beadle allowed workers under his control on at least three occasions to continue using a scaffold which was not properly constructed. It was a potentially dangerous structure at risk of collapse and in breach of the prohibition notice.
Sixty-three-year-old Beadle also failed to ensure that suitable and sufficient measures were in place to prevent workers falling a distance that would have caused personal injury. No edge protection had been installed to the side of the roof, the flat dormer roof, the front elevation of the roof, and safe access was not provided.
He was given a 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months and was told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Beadle of Rochester Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulation 2005 and 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He was also ordered to pay £6,043 in costs at the hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 7 August 2024.
HSE Inspector Emma Bitz said “We will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those who fail to do all that they can to keep workers safe.
“The risks from working at height are well known, as are the control measures required to reduce those risks.
“Falls from height remain the largest cause of workplace deaths in the construction industry.”
This prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Chloe Ward and supported by HSE paralegal officer Rebecca Forman.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
It has been a busy start to the summer for HSE with many prosecutions throughout June and July.
Here are TEN prosecution cases you might have missed during that time:
Tata Chemicals fined following young father’s death
On 5 June, Tata Chemicals Europe Limited was fined more than £1 million at Chester Crown Court.
The case was brought against the firm following the death of a young father who died while erecting a scaffold tower in a chemical plant in Northwich.
Michael Densmore, from Halewood in Merseyside, died following complications to the wound he sustained after his right foot slipped into a trough containing a liquid chemical calcium hydroxide – more commonly known as ‘milk of lime’ – causing chemical and thermal burns.
Michael alongside his sons Billy and Mikey
The 37-year-old father-of-four was one of a number of scaffolders employed by Altrad NSG to erect scaffolding at Tata’s Lostock Hall site.
On 30 November 2016, during the course of this work, Mr Densmore stepped over a trough which contained milk of lime – which had been heated to approximately 90 degrees centigrade. His right foot slipped on an unfastened lid covering the trough, resulting in him sustaining chemical and thermal burns to his foot and ankle.
Telecommunications giant Openreach was given a £1.34 million fine after an engineer died while trying to repair a telephone line in Wales.
Alun Owen, from Bethesda, died after he slipped and fell into the River Aber in Abergwyngregyn and was swept away on 6 October 2020.
A joint investigation by HSE and North Wales Police found that a number of Openreach engineers had been attempting to repair the telephone lines, which ran across the river, over a period of two months. They had been working both near and in the river. At the time of the incident, there had been flooding in the area which meant the river was much higher and faster flowing than usual.
Alun Owen
Mr Owen, 32, entered the water and made his way to an island in the middle of the river in order to try and throw a new telephone cable across to the other side by taping it to a hammer and then throwing the hammer. As he attempted to cross the remaining section of the river, he slipped in a deeper part and the force of the river swept him away.
He was described by his family as a ‘loving and selfless character’.
Construction company fined £2.345m after worker drowned in river
Construction company BAM Nuttall Ltd was fined following the death of worker Gary Webster, who lost his life two days after drowning in the River Aire on 30 October 2017.
Mr Webster and another worker had been on a boat removing debris at the bottom of the weir gates at Knostrop Weir when it capsized. The boat had been pulled into turbulent water, caused by the considerable flow of water flowing over the top of the weir.
The 60-year-old was repeatedly pulled under the water and was eventually recovered by a diver 14 minutes later. The other worker managed to swim to safety.
Mr Webster was pronounced dead on 1 November 2017 at Leeds General Infirmary.
Housing company fined after worker killed by concrete blocks
On 19 June, Avant Homes (Scotland) Ltd was fined more than £300,000 after a driver was crushed to death by falling concrete blocks at a construction site in South Lanarkshire.
Conor Joseph Morgan had been delivering materials to Shott Farm in High Blantrye, a construction site being operated by the firm, when the incident happened on 19 April 2017.
The 45-year-old, who was employed as a HGV driver for Regen Waste Limited, was crushed as the concrete blocks were being unloaded from the articulated flatbed trailer using an excavator with pallet fork attachment. However, the length of the pallet forks fitted to the excavator exceeded the width of the pallet being unloaded.
As the pallet was being lifted the forks caught a second pallet of concrete blocks causing them to topple from the edge of the trailer and onto Mr Morgan.
Livestock auctioneers fined after man, 75, killed by cow
Llanelli Magistrates fined the operators of a livestock market on 20 June after a cow being auctioned managed to escape and kill a pensioner.
Father-of-two Huw Evans was knocked down and trampled by the cow in the Welsh town of Whitland on 19 November 2022.
Huw Evans
A worker at J.J. Morris Limited was also injured in an unsuccessful attempt to capture the cow, which later ran towards Whitland Rugby Club and a railway line before being captured and put down by Dyfed-Powys Police.
Charitable trust fined following death of volunteer
Wilts & Berks Canal Trust was fined £30,000 after 62-year-old volunteer was killed while carrying out restoration work on 24 August 2016.
Peter Konitzer was fatally crushed when a section of a wall collapsed onto him in an excavation at Pewsham locks. He had been inside the excavation removing temporary propping that was supporting the wall when a section of it collapsed.
A section of the wall collapsed while Mr Konitzer was inside the excavation
The trust had been carrying out the restoration work as part of its project to preserve, conserve and improve the route of the Wilts and Berks Canal. However, it failed to ensure the safety of its volunteers working on it.
A joint HSE and Wiltshire Police investigation found the temporary propping to be inadequate and there was no clear method for the safe installation or removal of props during the work.
Explosives manufacturer fined £670,000 after worker dies
At a hearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 27 June, a manufacturer of military explosives was fined following the death of a 29-year-old.
Piotr Zukowski was killed in an explosion at a factory in Salisbury being operated by Chemring Countermeasures Limited. Another man was seriously injured following the blast on 10 August 2018.
Piotr Zukowski was killed following an explosion in 2018
The pair had been cleaning a vessel used in the production of MTV – an explosive substance used in military flares.
Piotr’s mother Elżbieta, said her life ‘stopped’ on the day her son was killed.
Engineering firm fined after employee sustains serious injuries at HS2 site
On 15 July, St Albans Magistrates fined an engineering firm after a worker sustained multiple injuries while working at a HS2 construction site in Hertfordshire.
The mechanical engineer had been employed by EMC Elite Engineering Services Ltd when he fell more than 30 feet on 20 November 2022.
The man, who was 57 at the time, fell through a gap in a conveyor’s stairway and landed on the concrete floor below. He sustained a fractured pelvis, skull, hip, jaw and two broken wrists.
He spent two months in hospital following the incident, undergoing surgery requiring him to have six plates inserted into his face.
A still of the CCTV which captured the moment the man fell
£240,000 fine for company after fall left man paralysed
A Cheshire-based electrical transmission company was fined more than £200,000 after a man was left paralysed following a fall from height.
North Wales man Gavin Pugh had been demolishing and replacing electricity pylons in East Staffordshire when the incident happened on 6 April 2022.
Gavin Pugh fell more than 30 feet during work to demolish electricity pylons in East Staffordshire
Birmingham Magistrates Court heard how Mr Pugh and his colleagues were unaware of previous work already undertaken to loosen bolts on the tower. This caused him to fall more than 30 feet.
He spent six months in hospital and has been left unable to work as a result of his extensive injuries.
Recycling company fined £3m after one man died and another seriously injured
A national recycling firm was fined £3 million after one man died and another was seriously injured as they decommissioned an old North Sea gas rig.
Stephen Picken, 62, and Mark Kumar were working for Veolia ES (UK) Limited at an onshore facility in Great Yarmouth when the incident happened on 17 October 2019.
The pair had been removing an overhanging piece of metal pipework (known as a skirt pile), weighing in excess of 27 tonnes, from a jacket (a structure placed in the sea, designed to support oil and gas rig platforms), when it gave way. The pile struck the mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) containing the men, throwing them to the ground about 12 metres below.
The aftermath of the incident in Great Yarmouth.
Mr Picken died at the scene and Mr Kumar suffered serious life-changing injuries.
A HSE investigation identified serious failures including shortcomings in terms of supervision.
Wolverhampton company fined after worker hit by forklift truck
A manufacturing company based in Wolverhampton has been fined £30,000 after a welder sustained serious injuries when he was struck by a forklift truck.
David Lucas was working for Fablink UK Limited at its weld shop site on Stafford Road when he was hit by the reversing forklift on 12 January 2023.
The forklift driver was moving large jigs in and out of a welding pen when it struck 45-year-old Mr Lucas. He sustained injuries including a fractured ankle and a broken elbow, and spent several days in hospital.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that there were inadequate measures to segregate pedestrians and vehicles at the site, including the weld shop where the accident happened. It was commonplace for forklifts to enter the welding areas and pens whilst pedestrians were in close proximity.
Arrangements for monitoring the condition of vehicles was also inadequate and poor maintenance regimes were in place. The forklift truck involved in the accident was in a poor state of repair, including a broken horn and excessively worn tyres. The risk assessment for workplace transport was not suitable and sufficient, and the company had received previous HSE advice in relation to workplace transport and in particular about vehicle and pedestrian segregation.
Fablink UK Limited of Stafford Road, Wolverhampton pleaded guilty at Dudley Magistrates Court to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They were fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,104.
HSE inspector Heather Campbell commented “This case emphasises the dangers to safety from poorly managed workplace transport and plant maintenance.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Edward Parton and HSE paralegal officer Helen Jacob.
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
A company has been fined £160,000 after an employee lost both legs whilst working at its site near Warrington.
On 20 June 2022, Andrew McAuley, from Runcorn, an employee of William Stobart & Son Limited was picking orders at the firm’s warehouse in Appleton Thorn.
The 64-year-old was working in close proximity to a forklift truck (FLT) which was being used to load pallets of slate tiles onto a waiting truck. The FLT was carrying two pallets, one on top of the other. The top pallet was not secured to the one below, and when the driver turned the vehicle, both pallets became detached from the forks, with the upper pallet striking Mr McAuley, crushing his legs.
A pallet of slate tiles crushed Andrew McAuley’s legs
Mr McAuley had to have both legs amputated below the knee. He has been left dependent upon a wheelchair and unable to drive or climb stairs, leading to the need for extensive adaptations to the family home.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that William Stobart & Son Limited failed to ensure this area of the warehouse was organised so that vehicles and pedestrians were segregated and circulated in a safe manner and loads were secured so far as was reasonably practicable.
The incident happened at the firm’s warehouse in Appleton Thorn, near Warrington
William Stobart & Son Limited, of Ashville Way Industrial Estate, Sutton Weaver, Runcorn, Cheshire pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £4,478 costs at a hearing at Warrington Magistrates Court on 30 July 2024.
The prosecution was supported by HSE enforcement lawyer Sam Tiger and paralegal Sarah Thomas.
After the hearing HSE Inspector Lorna Sherlock said: “Mr McAuley has been left with devastating and life changing injuries.
“The company failed to implement a safe system of work for loading and unloading activities, thereby exposing employees, and others, to the risk of being struck by loads or workplace vehicles. This case illustrates the consequences of failing to segregate vehicles and pedestrians, and to properly secure loads.
“This injury could easily have been prevented. Employers should make sure they assess work activities sufficiently and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from workplace transport.”
Notes to editors:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.
More information about the legislation referred to in this case is available.
HSE does not pass sentences, set guidelines or collect any fines imposed. Relevant sentencing guidelines must be followed unless the court is satisfied that it would be contrary to the interests of justice to do so. The sentencing guidelines for health and safety offences can be found here.
