Leg injury at work

28/09/2007

A recycling company has been fined £35,000 after a Romanian labourer lost his leg when he was struck by a 20-tonne loading shovel.

Nicolai Danut-Puiu, 38, who understood little English and had only been working at the site for a few weeks, was working in a loading shed sorting waste when he was hit, causing an injury to his leg.

A Health and Safety Executive inquiry found walkways were not clearly identified, meaning heavy machinery and pedestrians had to operate in close proximity.

Ethos Recycling Ltd, of Grand Union Office Park, Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, Uxbridge, admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at City of London Magistrates' Court.

Zameer Bhunnoo, HSE investigating inspector, said: "With the increase of foreign workers in Britain, it is essential that companies who need their skills take care to ensure workers fully understand what is required of them, and how to avoid risks in the workplace."

Copyright © PA Business 2007

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