Home / Crime and Justice / Firm Fined After Worker's Tragic Death
Firm Fined After Worker's Tragic Death
29 Sep
Summary
- Company sentenced for breaching workplace equipment regulations.
- A large opening in machine guarding gave access to dangerous parts.
- Employer knew risks but failed to implement safety measures.
Gill Aggregates, based in Northfleet, Kent, received a sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court after pleading guilty to breaching workplace equipment regulations. The company supplies aggregates and haulage services. The conviction follows an investigation by the HSE into a fatal incident involving a worker named Manjit.
The investigation revealed that while a fixed guard was fitted to a machine's compression conveyors, it had a significant opening. This opening provided access to dangerous moving parts, leading to the worker becoming trapped. The HSE noted that the company had identified this specific risk two months prior but had not included guarding in its control measures.
Following the tragic death, additional guarding was installed on the machinery. The HSE inspector emphasized the well-known risks associated with dangerous moving machinery and stressed the employer's duty to ensure effective measures prevent worker access to hazardous components. The company was also ordered to pay £43,000 in costs.
