Reversing removal van crushes worker
Company prosecuted for health and safety failings after a man was crushed between a wall and a van - 16th January 2009
A removal company has been prosecuted after a worker
suffered
injury at work whilst helping a van
reverse.
The man was involved in this
workplace accident on
30th June 2007, as he was helping a van reverse into
a space, he became trapped between a wall and the
van suffering severe bruising and a suspected blood
clot.
The man was taken to hospital and kept in overnight
as a precautionary measure and was able to return to
work again after a two week recovery period.
His company, Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Limited,
pleaded guilty to breaching the Management of Health
and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and breaking
regulation 9(1) of the Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations 1998, for failing to undertake
sufficient risk assessment and training for
employers. They were fined £3,515 and ordered to pay
£2,000 in costs at Skegness Magistrates Court.
An inspector for the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) said: "Sadly this is an all too familiar
incident in the removals and haulage business.
Acting as a banksman may be seen as a
straightforward routine task but it is still
potentially dangerous and companies have a duty to
ensure that staff are properly trained, that safe
systems of work are in place and that all movements
of vehicles are properly supervised."
Adding: "Fox Group have acknowledged the need to
change their systems of work and we would urge all
employers in the industry to review, and where
necessary, revise their safety procedures."
