A metals recycling firm in Yorkshire has incurred a penalty of £1.2 million following an accident where a worker was struck by a wagon at their facility.
On August 10, 2020, a CF Booth Limited employee suffered injuries at the Rotherham site when hit by a 32-tonne skip wagon. The worker, who was not wearing a high-visibility jacket, failed to notice the approaching vehicle. Simultaneously, the wagon’s driver, preoccupied with navigating around some low-level skips, did not see the employee before the collision occurred.
The worker experienced serious injuries, including a fractured skull and a broken collarbone in two places, but has fortunately recovered fully since the event.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation and discovered that, at the time of the accident, the site’s layout did not safely accommodate pedestrian and vehicle movement. The absence of an adequate workplace transport risk assessment for segregating vehicles and pedestrians was noted. The company did not adequately evaluate the risks associated with vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The accident could have been averted with proper risk assessment and the implementation of safety measures like physical barriers and designated crossing areas.
Workplaces must ensure the safety of both personnel and vehicles, with traffic routes designed to prevent such incidents. The HSE provides guidelines on maintaining safe traffic routes and segregating pedestrians from vehicles.
CF Booth Limited, located at Clarence Metal Works, Armer Street, Rotherham, admitted to violating Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on April 25. The company faced a fine of £1.2 million and was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £5,694.85.
Post-hearing, HSE inspector Kirstie Durrans remarked that the incident could have been prevented if CF Booth Limited had properly evaluated the risks to ensure a safe circulation of vehicles and pedestrians. She warned that the HSE would not hesitate to enforce regulations against those who do not meet safety standards.