Waste and Recycling Company Fined After Worker Injury
A North East waste and recycling company has been fined £270,000 after an employee was injured while cleaning a waste picking line.
On 24 March 2023, an employee became trapped in a section of machinery when the line was accidentally switched on during cleaning.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the company failed to ensure an isolation procedure was correctly implemented while employees were cleaning machinery.
- The incident occurred at the company's site at Aycliffe Quarry, Aycliffe Village, County Durham.
- A senior supervisor restarted the machinery after mistaking the worker for a colleague in similar clothing nearby.
- The employee suffered a fractured shoulder, torn ligaments, and a broken finger.
This was not the first serious incident at the site.
Author's summary: Company fined for safety breach.