Personal Injury Solicitor Hastings

A County Durham waste and recycling company has been prosecuted after a worker was seriously injured in a work injury when a vehicle reversed into him.

The 25-year-old, from Blackhall, who has asked not be named, was working in a sorting shed at First Skips Ltd in Shotton Colliery when the incident occurred.

The employee was sorting material at a recycling yard when he was struck by a telescopic materials handler and knocked to the ground. He suffered a broken shoulder, two fractured toe bones and a fractured rib.

Victoria Wise, prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), told Peterlee Magistrates' Court the company had failed to ensure that a safe system of work was in place for the hand sorting of recyclables near moving vehicles, despite the fact that this activity made up a substantial part of the company's daily undertaking.

First Skips Ltd, of Thornley Station Industrial Estate, Shotton Colliery, was fined £3,350 and ordered to pay £3,528.70 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector Victoria Wise, commented:

"The injured worker was lucky not to be killed as a result of this incident, which could have easily been avoided had the company implemented a safe system of work that segregated moving vehicles from pedestrians.”
The man has now made a full recovery and is expected to sue the company for accident at work compensation.

If you have been injured in an accident at work and would like advice on whether you can make a claim simply call us on 0800 612 7445 or start your claim online.