Suspended sentence after worker injury at AWM

In a statement issued on 22 October 2021, the safety regulator says that on 20 October 2016 an operative was working on a conveyor belt on an automated waste picking line at Associated Waste Management (AWM) Ltd in Canal Road, Bradford, when it became damaged and needed repair.

While the operative was working to repair the conveyor line, it started moving and his arm became entangled, which caused muscle and tissue damage.

An HSE investigation found that AWM site supervisor Andrew Hughes, who had control of the site in the absence of the site manager, was responsible for completing a permit for the repair work and isolating the line.

On his way to complete the permit he became “distracted with another matter”, the HSE says, and neither the permit nor the isolation was completed. This meant that the conveyor belt restarted during the repair work, injuring the employee.

Mr Hughes of Heathmoor Park Road, Halifax, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court to breaching Section 7 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the HSE says. He was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.

‘So easily avoided’

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Darian Dundas said: “Mr Hughes failed to implement company policy and procedure in respect of permits to work and isolation.

This incident could so easily have been avoided
– HSE inspector Darian Dundas

“This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.”

AWM

Leeds-based waste management firm AWM is an established waste operator in the Yorkshire region. It was acquired by Irish-owned business Beauparc Group in 2018 (see letsrecycle.com story).  AWM declined to comment on the 2016 incident when contacted by letsrecycle.com, though a spokesperson confirmed the company no longer runs the site.

Health & Safety in the Waste & Recycling Sector Conference | 11 November | Heart of England Conference Centre, Coventry

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