Worker loses lower leg in paver incident
JOHN Wainwright & Co Ltd have been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £8,015 in costs after a worker’s foot was crushed under a paving machine, resulting in the subsequent amputation of the victim’s lower right leg.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the Somerset-based company for its role in the incident, which occurred in Monkton in Heathfield on 29 August 2008.
Taunton Magistrates Court heard that Alan Seviour, who worked for the company as a delivery driver, was carrying out relief road work on the day of the incident.
As he cleared material from the front of the paving machine, his right foot became trapped and crushed between a speed bump and a bar at the front of the machine. The resulting injuries were so severe that he had to have his lower leg amputated.
Mr Seviour still works for the company as a driver, but now has to use a specially adapted van.
At the hearing John Wainwright & Co Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE inspector Annette Walker said: ‘Although the surface paver is a slow-moving machine, it is not safe for anyone to work in front of it while it is in motion as it can be noisy, making communication difficult.
‘Mr Seviour suffered life-changing injuries because the machine was in motion and the driver had limited forward visibility due to the way the machine was designed. In fact, the driver did not know Mr Seviour was trapped until he was told to reverse off him.
‘Mr Seviour has been able to return to work now that the company has provided him with a suitable vehicle. However, it all could have been avoided if John Wainwright & Co had put the right systems in place to ensure the safety of all people working with or near this machine.’
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the Somerset-based company for its role in the incident, which occurred in Monkton in Heathfield on 29 August 2008.
Taunton Magistrates Court heard that Alan Seviour, who worked for the company as a delivery driver, was carrying out relief road work on the day of the incident.
As he cleared material from the front of the paving machine, his right foot became trapped and crushed between a speed bump and a bar at the front of the machine. The resulting injuries were so severe that he had to have his lower leg amputated.
Mr Seviour still works for the company as a driver, but now has to use a specially adapted van.
At the hearing John Wainwright & Co Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE inspector Annette Walker said: ‘Although the surface paver is a slow-moving machine, it is not safe for anyone to work in front of it while it is in motion as it can be noisy, making communication difficult.
‘Mr Seviour suffered life-changing injuries because the machine was in motion and the driver had limited forward visibility due to the way the machine was designed. In fact, the driver did not know Mr Seviour was trapped until he was told to reverse off him.
‘Mr Seviour has been able to return to work now that the company has provided him with a suitable vehicle. However, it all could have been avoided if John Wainwright & Co had put the right systems in place to ensure the safety of all people working with or near this machine.’
