Recycling firm fined after worker killed by loading shovel

Atlantic Recycling receive £300,000 fine after worker run over from behind at site in Cardiff

A Welsh recycling company has been fined £300,000 after a worker was killed by a loading shovel. Anthony Bilton lost his life on 4 September 2019 when he was run over from behind by a Volvo loader at Atlantic Recycling Ltd’s Atlantic Ecopark site in Cardiff. The 59-year-old had been on his way to undertake routine maintenance tasks when the tragic incident happened.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Rhys Hughes said Atlantic Recycling had failed to ensure pedestrians and vehicles were separated at their site. The HSE investigation also found that although a risk assessment had been produced prior to the work commencing, it was not suitable nor sufficient.

Atlantic Recycling, who pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, were fined £300,000 and ordered to pay £29,917.47 in costs at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on 28 February 2024.

HSE inspector Rhys Hughes said: ‘This tragic incident led to the death of a father of two and could have been prevented. Atlantic Recycling Ltd should have identified and controlled the risks involved with using large plant and vehicles in line with HSE guidance.

‘A safe system of work should have been in place, ensuring that pedestrians and vehicles were segregated. This is sadly a common cause of fatal incidents in this sector. The most effective way of protecting pedestrians in any workplace is to make transport routes entirely separate.’