A groundworks company has been fined, following an incident in which a security guard sustained serious hand injuries, while helping a plant driver at a site in Avonmouth.
On 17 November 2017, a plant driver employed by APK Earthmoving requested a site security guard (who was working for a different company) to help unhitch a trailer from a bulldozer, whilst he was operating the machine. While he was helping with the procedure, the security guard was trapped between a metal post and the bulldozer - this resulted in the amputation of his middle and ring fingers, and the loss of movement in the index finger on his right hand.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that APK Earthmoving had failed to take action to protect those people that were not in its employment while undertaking its business of hiring out mobile pant and driver services.
The Oxfordshire company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety Act at Work Act 1974, and so the company was fined £10,000 at Bristol Magistrates' Court and ordered to pay costs of £1,297.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Berenice Ray said, "This injury could have been easily prevented if a safe system of work had been followed, with the bulldozer ignition turned off before anyone was allowed close to remove the trailer. Employers should make sure they properly assess risks and apply effective control measures to minimise risk from their machinery operations."
The injury resulted in the security guard being off work for seven months while suffering pain, and also having to deal with adapting to the disability.
