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Workman loses foot following unsafe piling operations at excavation
Morgan Est plc has been ordered to pay over £20k in fines and prosecution costs after a worker had his foot amputated following an incident during piling operations in Bary, South Wales in 2008.
Clive Morgan, aged 46,was involved in the installation of sheet piles designed prevent the collapse of an excavation for an underground pumping station.
He stood on a horizontal beam in place to guide the pile into position and his foot became trapped between the sheet and the beam. The injury was serious and required the amputation of his foot.
Operation not conducted in a safe manner
The HSE investigation “demonstrated that the work Mr Morgan was involved in was not being carried out in a safe manner, in that no-one should be standing close to a metal pile as it is being lowered into position.
HSE Inspector Steve Richardson said:
The horrific injuries sustained by Mr Morgan in this case demonstrate the need for employers to have safe systems of working in place on site.
This installation is fairly routine in the construction industry and there are plenty of examples of good practice this company should have followed.
Since the incident, the company have revised their procedures for installing piles and provided dedicated training for their operatives. This was too late for Mr Morgan, who remains unable to work and is still undergoing treatment.