Viridor fined over banksman injury at Crayford MRF

According to a statement from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Folkestone Magistrates’ Court heard that a Viridor employee was crushed by a reversing 22.5 tonne shovel loader driven by an on-site contractor.

The statement added that the injured employee was working on foot in the area in his role as banksman, assisting a lorry to manoeuvre into a bay while a shovel loader reversed out of the bay independently, knocking him to the ground and driving over the lower half of his body.

He suffered “very serious internal injuries and multiple serious fractures, both with significant life changing effects”.

Reminder

Speaking after the case HSE inspector Megan Carr said “This incident is a reminder to the waste and recycling industry as to the importance of good workplace transport control which can often be achieved by simple pragmatic steps to avoid such incidents from occurring.

“HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

Viridor was found in breach of Regulation 4(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 by virtue of Regulation 17(1), according to the HSE.

The case took place on 26 February.

Apology

When contacted by letsrecycle.com, a spokesperson for Viridor said: “Viridor pleaded guilty to a contravention of health and safety legislation following an incident at Crayford Materials Recycling Facility on February 27, 2017, when a Viridor employee, Frank McGechie, was seriously hurt by a vehicle driven by a third party contractor.

“In its judgment, the court noted that Viridor was a company that cared about health and safety and was doing its best to resolve and prevent accidents. In this case it had done a considerable amount to address and remedy the issues it had identified.”

In a statement to the court, Viridor’s managing director sincerely apologised to Mr McGechie and his family for the injuries he suffered. The company accepted that, despite having specific procedures in place to safely manage vehicles on site, on this occasion they were regrettably not followed.  The court recognised this and noted Viridor’s support of Mr McGechie and his family.

A spokesperson said the incident had had a profound impact on Viridor, adding: “We take our health and safety responsibilities very seriously.  Absolutely nothing is more important than the safety of our people.”