Visiting worker wins accident compensation for serious leg injuries

A visiting worker has won his compensation case after sustaining serious leg injuries at an Exeter-based waste transfer company.

Andrew Grist suffered a detached calf muscle, a near severed toe and broke bones after being hit by a reversing telehandler vehicle at Leese's Ltd.

The telehandler had a blind spot because of its size and was not fitted with a reversing camera.

Health and Safety Executive Inspector Simon Jones stated: "This incident could easily have resulted in a fatality at the site. All employers should ensure that vehicles they provide for use by their employees should not have blind spots."

Pedestrians and workers are at risk of being hit by telehandlers when the vehicle is moving off from stationary, manoeuvring, travelling at high speeds, slewing and reversing.

Before operating a telehandler, dutyholders should ensure that they have fully considered the actions to be undertaken in the vehicle and fit safety measures appropriately.

The failure of Leese's Ltd to follow this rule resulted in £818 in legal costs and a fine of £4,500. 

Published by Kevin Round