The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted Nottinghamshire County Council, after a disabled member of the public was struck by a vehicle used for collecting branches and sustained crush injuries.
On 1 June 2015, council employees were working in the County Park in Rufford Abbey collecting branches and transporting them to be burned, using a tractor-mounted grab attachment.
At the same time, a disabled man was on a guided walk in the park, but the worker using the tractor to transport branches through the park could not see him and collided with him. The 71-year-old man suffered serious bruising to his arms, legs and head.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found the council had failed to implement a safe system of work, in that they failed to segregate vehicle movements from the public.
The council had also failed to train the workers to the required level to operate the mounted grab and act as banksman – the machine was also not suitable for transporting materials long distances.
The work was also not sufficiently supervised and adequately planned for a public place – and, as a result, the council had put their own employees and members of the public at risk.
At Nottingham Crown Court, Nottinghamshire County Council – of County Hall, West Bridgford in Nottingham – pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2 (1) and 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The council was fined £1 million and ordered to pay costs of £10,269.85.
After the hearing, HSE inspector Martin Giles said:
“The failure to properly plan this work and put in place straightforward control measures not only put the gentleman at risk, but also endangered other members of the public walking with him.
“Duty holders have the responsibility to assess the work they do in public areas to lower the risk of harm and injury – particularly when they introduce new plant or equipment.”
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