Ethos Recycling Limited, of Grand Union Office Park, Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, was also ordered to pay costs of £2,904 in an appearance at the City of London Magistrates' Court on September 26.
Workplace transport continues to be one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries.
Zameer Bhunnoo, HSE
The court heard how Nicolai Danut-Puiu, 38, was in the loading shed sorting waste when he was struck by a 20 tonne loading shovel on December 13, 2005.
Mr Danut-Puiu, who understood little English, had his leg amputated after suffering the injury.
The Heatlh and Safety Executive (HSE) brought the procescution after its investigators found there were no clearly identified walkways on site. This meant that heavy plant and pedestrians had to operate in dangerously close proximity to each other.
Informed
The HSE is now urging employers to make sure all workers are informed about safety procedures following the accident.
Investigation inspector Zameer Bhunnoo 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.
He added: “In addition, the risks arising from the movement of vehicles in the workplace must be properly controlled. Workplace transport continues to be one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries.”
Ethos, formerly known as Sweeney Environmental Limited, offers in-vessel composting facilities and handles 25,000 tonnes of waste at its Uxbridge depot each year. The company has said it can recycle more than 80% of the waste it receives.
It pleaded guilty to two breaches of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which states that “it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.”
More information on migrant workers can be found in Essentials of Health and Safety at Work, available from HSE books 01787 881165. More information on workplace transport can be found at the HSE website.
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