Company fined as employee fractures skull
A company has been fined £80,000 after an employee fractures skull at its site in Glasgow.
In addition to a fractured skull, the worker sustains a broken clavicle, a ripped earlobe and haematomas down his right side. Injuries caused by being struck by a telehandler bucket while working at Grayshill Limited on 19 October 2022.
He had been removing cattle from the back of a lorry when the telehandler bucket became detached and struck him.
Failure to implement a safe system of work
(HSE) investigation found failure to implement a safe system of work for the use of quick hitches on the telehandler. This latching device that enables the bucket, to be connected to the arm of the telehandler and changed quickly. A manual quick hitch requires an operator to manually insert a metal pin from the latching device, securing the attachment.
On the morning of 19 October 2022, an agricultural engineer had serviced the telehandler, including removing the bucket. However, the engineer did not correctly reattach it onto the telehandler after the service was complete. The investigation found that the securing pin for the quick hitch had not been reinserted.
HSE guidance can be found at: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Serious incident resulting in Fine
HSE principal inspector Hazel Dobb said: “This was a serious incident, resulting in a worker sustaining horrific injuries. A thorough investigation finds Grayshill Limited failed to carry out the correct control measures and safe working practices at its site in Glasgow. The company also failed to check its vehicles after they had been serviced and repaired to ensure they were safe for use.”
Grayshill Limited, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £6,000 on 28 October 2024.
Tip: HSE guidance can be found at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/topics/machinery/farm-vehicles-4.htm
Safety Aide can assist your business regarding Health and Safety, including Risk Assessments, please get in touch on 08000 806 801or email: info@safetyaide.com