Company fined £185,000 for professional negligence
A construction company has been fined £185,000 after a worker was run over by a reversing Ford Transit truck.
The 56 year old man was helping to build a new track around a large pond when the work accident happened.
He was in hospital for four weeks after suffering seven broken ribs, a fractured spine and a dislocated right hip. The man also required a pin through his right knee.
His personal injury count also included a broken left shoulder and right foot and lost his left kidney.
The man has also lost one inch in height and has four needles in his spine. He is unlikely to ever return to work due to the extent of his injuries.
A HSE investigation showed that no one was responsible for guiding the reversing truck and thus guilty of professional negligence.
At Manchester Crown Court, the firm pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
In addition to the fine, the company was ordered to pay £9,821 towards cost.
HSE Inspector Neil Martin said, "It is not acceptable that a construction company did not carry out the right risk assessment or put a system in place for preventing collisions."
Updated on 22/02/2010