McGrath Bros fined after workers legs crushed

London-based waste management firm McGrath Bros (Waste Controls) Ltd has been fined £14,000 after an employee's legs were crushed between two steel frames while unloading a truck.

The firm, which has headquarters in Hackney, East London, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive over the incident which took place at a site in Barking on January 10 2008.

The incident in question involved a driver employed by McGrath, who has not been named, unloading steel frames from a delivery lorry with two colleagues when a support chain for the frames slipped causing a hoist frame to slip and fall back into the truck.

The employee's legs became trapped between two 700kg steel-fabricated frames. The man suffered nine fractures to his legs and had to spend six months in hospital and nursing homes – in total he was off work for 14 months.

McGrath Bros (Waste Control) Ltd of McGrath House, Hepscott Road, Hackney, was making large steel frames at its Hackney site and transporting them to the Debden Wharf site in Barking. The frames, which individually measured 9m by 1.6m by 30cm, had a total weight of up to 1.4 tonnes.

In a case heard at the City of London Magistrates' Court last week, the waste management firm pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees as far as reasonably practicable.

Commenting on the case, HSE Inspector Kevin Smith said: “This was a very distressing incident which could and should have been avoided. Instead, a man was left with terrible injuries as a result of a badly planned lifting operation.

“The company failed in its most basic duty to protect this worker. This case should serve as a timely reminder to firms that all aspects of work need risk assessments which examine all of the relevant risks and are communicated to everyone involved. It can ruin lives when these simple precautions are not taken.”

Cooperation

The McGrath facility in Barking, where the incident occurred, was developed with £1 million of WRAP grant funding, issued to the waste management firm in June 2007 (see letsrecycle.com story).

A statement issued by McGrath's directors said: “McGrath Bros immediately acknowledged responsibility for the accident and fully co-operated with the HSE investigation. The company amended its lifting authorisation procedures in order to prevent the recurrence of such an accident.

“McGrath Bros is particularly pleased that the employee involved in the accident made a full recovery and has returned to work for the company. It is committed to providing a safe working environment for its employees and continues to invest significant sums in training and safety. These factors were taken into account by the court when passing sentence.”