Construction Health & Safety News, Advice and Information from PP Construction Safety

Delivery driver trapped foot whilst standing in for paver operator 

John Wainwright & Co Ltd has been ordered to pay over £18k in fines and prosecution costs after a workman was injured as he cleared material from the front of a road surface paving machine in August 2008.

His foot became trapped and crushed between a speed bump and a bar at the front of the machine. His lower leg was subsequently amputated.

The injured man was a delivery driver carrying out some relief road work on the day of the incident. 

Injuries so severe amputation required

Taunton Magistrates Court heard that the injury to Alan Seviourour’s right foot was so severe that his lower leg was amputated. He still works for the company as a driver, but has to use a specially adapted van.

HSE inspector, Annette Walker said:

“Although the surface paver is a slow-moving machine, it is not safe for anyone to work in front of it while it is in motion as it can be noisy, making communication difficult.

“Mr Seviour suffered life-changing injuries because the machine was in motion and the driver had limited forward visibility because of the way the machine was designed. In fact the driver did not know Mr Seviour was trapped until he was told to reverse off him.

“Mr Seviour has been able to return to work now that the company has provided him with a suitable vehicle. However, it all could have been avoided if John Wainwright & Co had put the right systems in place to ensure the safety of all people working with or near this machine.”

This article was posted on 26th July 2010 in ALL LATEST NEWS, PROSECUTIONS, ROADWORKS, roadworks.
PP Construction Safety H&S Assistance and Consultancy service.