Man Forced To Miss Three Months Of Work Following Accident

A man was forced to take more than three months off work after being involved in an occupational accident at a recycling facility.

The worker - who wishes to remain unnamed - suffered numerous leg injuries, including a fractured ankle, when a 100 kg steel beam fell on top of him.

Bolton-based J Doyle pleaded guilty to breaching the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £2,000. The company was also ordered to pay £1,500 in prosecution costs.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the business had failed to thoroughly plan the movement of heavy beams around the site.

A forklift truck driver was attempting to hoist the metal into an empty skip so it could then be transported to a customer.

The employee - who was the delivery driver - was injured when the beam fell from the forks, crushing his left leg.

Although the incident occurred in July 2012, the man is still dealing with the long-term impact and now walks with a limp.

Following the hearing at Trafford Magistrates' Court, HSE inspector Emily Osborne said the risks involved in this type of work had been ignored.

"The injuries suffered by J Doyle's employee are still affecting him today, more than a year after the incident, and have caused him a considerable amount of pain," she commented.

Ms Osborne added that the recycling business has now changed its working practices to avoid a repeat of the accident.

"The company has now stopped using a forklift to lift steel beams and instead uses a HIAB crane on the back of a flatbed truck to deliver steel beams to customers," she continued.

Forklift trucks are involved in nearly a quarter of all workplace transport accidents, according to the HSE.

If you or a loved one has suffered due to an accident at work, our personal injury claims team could help you to secure the compensation you deserve. Visit our Workplace Accident & Injury Compensation page for more information.

Expert Opinion

This case highlights the devastating consequences of companies failing to thoroughly plan and risk assess working practices for lifting equipment until it is too late/ <br/> <br/>“Like many of our clients, this man suffered life-changing injuries that will continue to have an impact on him for some considerable time. <br/> <br/>“We are regularly contacted by employees injured in accidents at work to help them gain access to funds for care, rehabilitation and cover loss of earnings as many are unable to return to the profession in which they are trained. <br/> <br/>“We are pleased to hear J Doyle has now changed its working practices and hope that lessons are learnt across the recycling and waste management industry to protect the safety of other workers.” <br/>