Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Personal Injury Solicitors

Waste management company fined £160,000 after worker sustains life-changing injures (10 January 2015)

Date: 10/01/2015
Duncan Lewis, Personal Injury Solicitors, Waste management company fined £160,000 after worker sustains life-changing injures

A waste management company which operates nationwide has been fined £160,000, after a worker suffered life-changing injuries after being crushed between a truck and a skip at a site in Essex.

An investigation into the incident by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the unnamed 29-year-old worker from Canvey Island was caught between the skip loader truck and the skip he was preparing for pick-up.

The incident happened at the former May Gurney household waste recycling centre on Canvey Island on 26 January, 2013.

HSE inspectors found that, as the skip loader was manoeuvring into position for the pick-up, the worker was struck as it was being driven through a narrow route between the full skip and a fence.

The worker suffered potentially life-threatening injuries – including fracturing all his ribs, as well as back and shoulder injuries. He also sustained injuries to the top of his left leg, a chip to the back of his skull and cuts and bruises.

After being taken to the Royal London Hospital, he suffered two collapsed lungs and was put into an induced coma for three days. He spent a total of 17 days in hospital – and required rehabilitation involving intensive physiotherapy after regaining consciousness.

The injured worker then spent eight weeks at his parents’ home for further monitoring and care – and has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder by his GP. He has not been able to return to work – and the incident has had a significant impact on his family, partner and children.

The HSE investigation found that the company did not have sufficient procedures in place to keep workers safely away from vehicles moving around the site.

On Thursday, 8 January 2015 at Chelmsford Crown Court, Kier MG Ltd of Tempsford Hall, Sandy, Bedfordshire, was fined a total of £160,000 and ordered to pay costs of £9,809, after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. 1974 Act – as well as a breach of Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. 1974 Act states:

“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.”

Regulation 17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, 1992 states:

“Every workplace shall be organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles can circulate in a safe manner.”

The court was told that the company – which acquired May Gurney in July 2013 – had put in place strict measures to segregate visitors from moving vehicles, but had not extended them to ensure the safety of its workers.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Edward Crick, said:

“This was an entirely preventable incident caused by Kier MG Ltd’s failure to recognise the hazards to workers arising from skip loading operations at their Canvey Island recycling centre, despite tackling the hazards to members of the public.

“The consequences of this were devastating for a young man, who will now have to cope with life-changing injuries for the rest of his life.

“The risks to pedestrians when they are near operating work vehicles are very serious, but also well known within industry.

“There is no excuse, therefore, for companies to disregard vital elements of workplace safety.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Industrial Injury Claims

Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors can advise industrial workers injured as a result of the negligence of an employer or other party on how to make no win no fee Industrial Injury Claims for compensation.

Industrial injury claimants have three years from the date of injury in which to make a no win no fee compensation claim – and Duncan Lewis can also advise bereaved families whose loved ones have lost their lives in industrial accidents on how to make no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claims.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Industrial Injury Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


For all Personal Injury related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.