Workman loses arm in road surfacing plant

Three construction firms were ordered to pay over £400,000 in fines and prosecution costs after a worker lost his arm when it became trapped in poorly-guarded machinery during a road surfacing operation in Hertfordshire.

The 53-year old road worker was preparing a machine used to scatter stone chips on asphalt (chip spreader) for resurfacing works when his arm became caught in the rotating auger of the machine. The experienced workman had to have his arm amputated shortly after the incident and has been unable to return to work since.

Watford Magistrates’ Court heard (25 March 2015) that in order to prepare the chip spreader for use he started the machine and rotation of the auger. He repositioned the chip distribution hopper from kerbside to roadside to allow chips to be loaded. This operation involved moving the mesh safety guard from one side of the machine to the other.

He reached to move the guard and tripped falling forward towards the rotating auger thereby entangling his arm in the moving parts.

Series of safety failings on the part of all three companies

HSE investigators found no formal training in safe use of the spreader. Colleagues of the injured man were given one evening to familiarise themselves when they started work on site six months before the incident. Instruction or training in how to operate the machine safely was not given including how to secure guards and a copy of the machine operator manual was not provided

In addition, a safe system of work was not in place to ensure that the machine was set up and operated properly and use restricted to those who were trained.

A risk assessment and a site-specific method statement (RAMs) was in place but it “did not reflect the reality of the controls in place” for the use of the chip spreader. The risk assessment described a different type of chip spreader than the one used.

• Amey LG Ltd – of the Sherard Building, Edmund Halley Road, Oxford, was fined £150,015 and ordered to pay costs of £18,000 after pleading guilty to one breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• Lafarge Aggregates Ltd – of Portland House, Bickenhill Lane, Solihull, Birmingham, was fined £175,015 and ordered to pay costs of £18,000 after pleading guilty to one breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
• Ashmac Construction Ltd – of Pavillion Court, Pavilion Drive, Northampton, was fined £30,015 and ordered to pay costs of £18,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of section 3(1) the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Following the case, HSE Inspector Gavin Bull, said:

“This tragic incident has left a worker with life-changing injuries. It was wholly avoidable. The risks associated with plant operating are well-known in the industry.”

“This incident highlights the need for workers to receive the information, instruction and training they need to operate plant safely and for companies to put in place measures to ensure the plant is operated safely on site.”