Bakers Waste Services Ltd was sentenced at Leicester Magistrates’ Court today (26 March) following the incident which took place at the firm’s Enderby site in January 2014.
The Court heard how the 22-year-old worker, who has not been named, was clearing a blockage from the baler when his left leg became trapped between the static framework and moving bed.
It took firefighters who attended the scene three hours to free him.
The worker was hospitalised for four weeks following the incident, in which time he underwent three operations to insert metal rods and screws between his knee and ankle.
He also required skin and muscle grafts, and in some places the bones in his leg were so severely damaged they are now missing, the Court heard.
Guards
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation launched into the incident found that Baker Waste Services had failed to maintain guards and other protective devices on the baler.
Although the guards were present, HSE inspectors found they did not close properly – meaning interlocking devices and the electrical control circuit of the machine were not properly activated.
The Court also heard that while the worker was clearing the blockage he inadvertently activated the baler as there also no safe system of work for safely isolating the power supply.
Baker Waste Services pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £12,000. The firm was also ordered to pay costs of £3,577.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Berian Price, said: “The incident was entirely preventable. Bakers Waste Services fell below the standards expected of a competent employer, standards which are well publicised and accepted within the industry. The safety devices on the baler had been defective for a period of time yet it took a horrific incident before they took action to remedy the problem.
“Incidents arising from dangerous parts of machinery are unfortunately commonplace despite freely available guidance. Around 12 people a year are killed and a further 40,000 injured due to incidents involving machinery.”
Baker Waste Services
Baker Waste Services operates a skip hire service and two materials recycling facilities to a range of commercial customers based largely in Leicestershire and the East Midlands.
When contacted by letsrecycle.com, the company was unavailable for comment.
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