Demolition worker fined after colleague was severely injured

A demolition worker has been taken to court after his actions left one of his colleagues with serious leg injuries.

The worker was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the incident in January this year, when he was carrying out demolition work. He climbed into an excavator and began to move it around the site. However he was unable to control the machine and caused a wall to collapse. His co-worker was unable to move out of the way quickly enough and was trapped. He suffered serious injuries to his left leg, a broken right ankle and a shattered shin. He has had to have a steel plate inserted into his right shin and ankle.

The worker was not trained or authorised to operate this type of plant equipment and therefore should not have been driving the machine on the day of the incident.

Workplace transport is the second biggest cause of fatal accidents, and it is extremely fortunate that this incident didn't result in a death. Nationally around 80 people are killed every year, and there are more than 1,500 major injuries.

The fact that serious injury or death can result from the use of machinery and vehicles makes it all the more essential for employees to have respect for, and follow the safe working procedures for workplace transport that have been put in place by their employers.

Our specialised team here at Pannone work with a wide range of accident at work related cases.  If you or a member of your family has been injured in an accident at work, call our specialist personal injury solicitors on 0800 0384 384 or click here to book a free no obligation meeting.