Concrete pumping company fined after worker injured

Reilly Concrete Pumping fined £8,000 after worker’s foot becomes trapped in concrete pump hopper

A CONCRETE pumping company has been fined after a worker was injured when his foot got trapped by the paddles in a concrete pump hopper. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told Llandudno Magistrates’ Court that, on 1 October 2014, the worker was cleaning out the pump following a concrete pour at a construction site on Colwyn Bay promenade.

The worker had lifted the interlocked safety grille and was sitting on the hopper with his feet inside removing the concrete residue when the safety interlock failed causing the paddles to start moving, trapping his left foot and resulting in partial amputation.

St Helens-based Reilly Concrete Pumping admitted breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, and were fined £8,000 with costs of £1,746.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Chris Wilcox said: ‘This tragic accident has left the employee suffering a life-changing injury. Employers are legally required to ensure that work equipment is maintained in a safe condition for use, which in this case was the safety interlock on the hopper grille.’