Companies operating in the UK are required by law to undertake certain measures to reduce the risk of injury and illness among their workers. Indeed, to help them meet their duties, there are special health and safety courses available, and they can make use of assistance to ensure their risk assessments are conducted properly.
However, not all firms succeed in meeting their legal requirements and the consequences of this can be costly both financially and in terms of human suffering. One organisation recently felt the full force of the law in relation to an accident involving a member of staff that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said could have been avoided.
In September last year, tree surgeon Davyd Dyer was helping to remove six tree stumps from a property in Maidstone. The 30-year-old walked past an unmanned stump grinder while carrying a sheet of corrugated metal and his trousers caught on the rotating cutting head of the grinder, pulling his leg into the moving parts of the device.
As a result of the incident, he suffered a broken leg, serious muscle injuries and had to remain in hospital for several weeks. During this time, he required a number of operations to reconstruct his leg. It remains uncertain as to whether or not he will be able to return to work as a tree surgeon.
According to an HSE investigation, the cutting machine was left running while its operator was not at the controls. It was also found the individual did not have suitable training in the use of the machine.
This is just one of many cases that show the significance of health and safety courses, risk assessments and other such measures.
During a hearing at Maidstone Magistrates Court, Aspen Tree Services pleaded guilty to breaching the law and was ordered to pay a fine and legal costs.
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