Blackpole Recycling was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the incident at its site on Blackpole Trading Estate West, Worcester.
Maintenance worker Andrew Taylor was hit by a vehicle’s bucket which fell on him whilst he was carrying out a repair on a hydraulic leak on the loading shovel.
Taylor was airlifted to hospital where he underwent three operations.
His injuries included multiple rib fractures, broken bones in his leg and foot, and a shattered pelvis which was fractured into three pieces.
Taylor told the court: “I remember being in the emergency room with 15 doctors and nurses, and my wife. The nurse told me not to worry but I was worried about the here and now.
“Prior to the accident I used to go to the gym and go running, but since the accident I can’t even get up the stairs.”
‘This incident could and should have been prevented’
An HSE investigation found that Blackpole Recycling had failed to carry out a risk assessment for the maintenance task and had not established a safe system of work.
The regulator also found that the company failed to provide Mr Taylor with adequate information, instruction and training for the task he was performing.
HSE inspector Charlie Rowe, who led the investigation, said: “This incident could and should have been prevented. Had a safe system of work been in place, Mr Taylor would not have sustained these serious, life-changing injuries.
“The absence of an appropriate risk assessment, method statement, training and supervision for this maintenance task created a scenario where someone could easily have been killed.
“Employers must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the safety of their employees. Where they fail to do so, HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.”
Company fined £160,000
At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on 30 September 2025, Blackpole Recycling pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The company was fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £7,049 in costs, as well as a victim surcharge of £2,000.
The prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Matthew Reynolds and paralegal officer Jason Dix.
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