September 19, 2018

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In Court

£1.4m fine for two construction firms after safety failure leads to toe amputation for worker

Two construction companies have been fined after a worker’s foot was trapped in a rotating screw.

On 5 March 2015, Costain Limited and Galliford Try Building Limited were upgrading water treatment works in Cheshire. During commissioning work, a worker’s foot became trapped in a large rotating screw. He needed to have three toes amputated as a result.

The HSE’s investigation found that both companies had failed to properly plan and manage the commissioning work.

Costain Ltd and Galliford Try Limited were found guilty of breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Both companies were fined £1,400,000.00 each with a total of £101,046.20 in costs.

Speaking after the case, HSE Inspector David Argument said: “This injury was easily preventable. The commissioning work should have been properly planned and managed.

“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk posed by dangerous parts of machinery.”

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