Critical Defect Crushes Maintenance Worker to Death in Leicestershire
Posted: April 3, 2024
Posted in: Workplace Injuries Wrongful & Accidental Death
Early on the 21st of June 2017, 26-year-old Luke Branston of Leicester was performing repair maintenance on a feed hopper whilst stood on a conveyor at Mountsorrel Quarry in Leicestershire. When the conveyor was unintentionally switched on, Mr Branston became trapped against the feed hopper and was crushed to death.
Who was to Blame for Luke Being Crushed to Death?
An HSE investigation into the incident found that the conveyor was not on an isolated power supply before the repair work got underway.
In fact, the test circuit was not actually connected to the test button on the conveyor’s electric panel. The investigation revealed that this had been the case for many years and Tarmac Aggregates Ltd failed to note this critical defect and, most importantly, repair it.
It was also evidenced that there was no alarm to indicate the conveyor had started – audible or visual. A simple obligation to meet that might have provided Mr Branston time to escape being crushed to death between the conveyor and the feed hopper he was working on.
What were the Penalties for the Workplace Accident?
The company responsible pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court in September 2023 for their breach of Section 2 & 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Tarmac Aggregates Ltd were fined £1.275million pounds and ordered to pay £200,000 in costs for Mr Branston being killed.
Adrian Jurg, an HSE inspector, said after the sentencing:
“When a company like Tarmac profit from the hard work of contractors like Luke, then the very least they owe him, and his family, is a duty to ensure he gets home safe at the end of his shift. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Have you been involved in a crushing accident at your work?
Accidents happen, it’s true, but companies are regulated to mitigate risks to you as much as humanly and technologically possible to avoid personal injury. Something as simple to fix as a defective electrical panel cost the life of this young man, and that’s why it’s important to stay vigilant against negligence in the workplace.
So, if you have been injured at work, either by being crushed or any other way, we can help you claim compensation. Even if it isn’t immediately obvious your employer is at fault, we will help investigate the facts and make sure you are eligible to claim before proceeding.
We do this all on a no win, no fee * basis, meaning you have no financial risk in finding out if you are owed compensation.
Call today for a no obligation discussion of your accident at work claim on 0116 214 5630^.
« New Content Added to Our Website
