Construction companies fined after worker injured

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

Liverpool Crown Court heard how, 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 which led to the amputation of three toes.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) 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 have been fined £1,400,000 each with a total of £101,046.20 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.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We prevent work-related death, injury and ill health through regulatory actions that range from influencing behaviours across whole industry sectors through to targeted interventions on individual businesses. These activities are supported by globally recognised scientific expertise. www.hse.gov.uk
2. More about the legislation referred to in this case can be found at: www.legislation.gov.uk/
3. HSE news releases are available at http://press.hse.gov.uk