Recycling firm fined for health and safety related death
A recycling company in Ystrad Mynach is being fined for a worker death. The yard foreman was crushed, dying at 56 years of age. The incident happened in 2008, but it has taken a while for the case to be heard in court considering the many details and the health and safety audits that needed to be conducted. The worker was crushed when caught between a skip and a container at Amber Services. The court learned about the regular responsibilities of the worker such as locating skips. He was doing so when he was trapped between a stationary skip and a container his colleague was about to load. The container had been reversed in the yard harming the worker. During the health and safety audits, it was found the company did not ensure their employees’ safety due to the system in place. There was no place set up for safe movement of those walking.
The incident could have been prevented if reasonable measures were in place. The company failed to do this creating a disorderly situation with people and vehicles. The likelihood of the incident occurring had some measures been in place was very low according to the studies and experts speaking during the trial. The fine is £112,000 with £36,000 in court costs. The company did state they breached Section 2(1) of the regulations making the case simpler than it may have been if they contended the findings in any way.
