Recycling company fined after worker loses leg

An investigation was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following a gruesome incident which was so severe that an employee had to have his leg amputated above the knee.

The incident occurred on the 5th of October 2022, whilst employees were sorting out refuse at the Pink Skips (NW) Ltd site at Levenshulme.

CCTV footage provided the HSE investigators with key knowledge about the incident. When reviewed, it showed employees working around and in close proximity to a 360° rotating excavator. One of the employees was standing behind the vehicle whilst it was moving waste, when it suddenly reversed, striking him and running over his leg.

The investigation also found that hand picking regularly occurred around the moving excavator, yet there is a written safe system of work which stated that operatives were not to work within the swing reach area of the excavator, that barriers should be in place between operatives and machines at all times and that banksmen should be used

The HSE found that these precautions were not being used and found that Pink Skips (NW) had failed to adequately segregate pedestrians and vehicles for which detailed guidance is available.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £106,700 and ordered to pay £5,744 costs at a hearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 7 August 2024.

The injuries sustained to the employee, (who is both a father and grandfather) have been truly life-changing. He has not only been left unable to work, but he also continues to suffer from considerable pain.

To read the full HSE article click here.

Regularly reviewing workplace safe systems are being adhered to is paramount to ensure employee's remain safe. Ensuring employees continue to work within the rules set out within a safe working system can be difficult.

Using TakeAIM, employers can provide their employees with digital workplace assessments, which they can carry out themselves, which highlight the dangers within their workplace environment and provide information / remedies to lessen the risks.

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