Waste-management firm fined after worker death

FCC Waste Services fined £265,000 for safety failings after employee is killed by a loading shovel

A WASTE-management company has been fined £265,000 for serious safety failings after a worker was killed when he was struck and run over by a loading shovel on 17 August 2012

Patrick Murphy, who worked as a groundsman for FCC Waste Services (UK) Ltd since 2004, was clearing litter at the firm’s Waterdale waste transfer station in Watford when he was hit by the vehicle.

Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to organize and control the workplace to ensure that pedestrians and vehicles could circulate and operate safely.

St Albans Crown Court heard that the site handled household waste and material for recycling which was delivered to the site by refuse collection vehicles. The vehicles would be driven across the manoeuvring yard, referred to as ‘the apron’, to a large warehouse known as the tipping hall.

There were also two loading shovels operated by FCC staff working on the site, moving the tipped waste around and it was one of these which struck and killed Mr Murphy while he was litter-picking out on the apron.

FCC Waste Services (UK) Ltd were fined a total of £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £65,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) and Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

After the case, HSE Inspector Roxanne Barker said: ‘Mr Murphy lost his life in what was an entirely preventable tragedy caused by FCC Waste Services’ failure to fully recognize and control the hazards arising from activities in and around the tipping hall at its waste transfer station.

‘There are significant risks associated with operating large construction type vehicles on waste sites, particularly when, as in this case, the vehicles have restricted visibility. These risks are well known and easily controlled using reasonably practicable precautions.

‘Every year many people are killed or seriously injured in incidents involving workplace transport, and there is no excuse for companies that neglect this risk. Pedestrians, whether they are employees or not, should be kept separate from these types of vehicles through physical barriers or safe systems of work that are clear and well supervised.’