Recycling Industry: Workplace Death:Health And Safety Prosecution
- Robert Spicer
- Dec 21, 2014
- 1 min read
Recycling industry death: £150,000 fine
Health and Safety Executive v European Metal Recycling Ltd (2014) Warwickshire Crown Court, December 19
European Metal Recyclimg Ltd has been fined following the death of a worker.
Significant points of the case
In October 2011 William Ward was working at the company’s site in Kingsbury, Warwickshire. He was dismantling a metal barge, which weighed 33 tonnes, using an oxy-acetylene torch.
The barge collapsed on top of him, causing fatal crush injuries.
The subsequent HSE investigation found serious flaws with the method of work. The company had failed to do enough to protect workers and to ensure that contractors on site were competent and were working safely.
The company was responsible for the deceased’s safety and for ensuring that the barge was being dismantled in a safe manner.
The company was fined £150,000 plus £80,000 costs for a breach of section 3, HSW Act, for failing to ensure the health and safety of non-employees.
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