15.04.2025 14:10
A worker on his first day at a waste recycling facility in England was trapped under a heavy loader. The 40-year-old worker narrowly escaped a serious danger when a truck unexpectedly collided with him while he was collecting waste. Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the company Wheeldon Brothers Waste Limited, which operates in the waste and recycling sector, was fined £250,000. The worker who survived the accident has started working again at another company.
Security cameras in England captured the horrifying moments of a worker on his first day at a waste recycling facility being trapped under a heavy loader.
The 40-year-old man narrowly escaped serious danger when a truck unexpectedly hit him from behind while he was collecting garbage.
As a result of an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the company Wheeldon Brothers Waste Limited, which operates in waste and recycling, was fined £250,000. HSE official Lisa Bailey stated, "It is truly a miracle that this man is alive."
Bailey noted that vehicles like loaders have many blind spots and limited visibility, requiring a wide area. She also added, "This accident could have easily been prevented if the necessary safety measures had been taken and the work had been done safely."
The man, who survived the accident and is now 44 years old, has started working again at another company.
This horrific incident occurred in July 2021 at a waste facility located on Mossdown Road in Oldham, Manchester. The man, who suffered a broken bone in his leg, as well as muscle and nerve damage, was treated in the hospital for a week.
The massive machinery passed over the man and, after being alerted by other nearby workers, reversed and passed over him again.
This unfortunate event happened on the man's first day at work.
Normally, the conveyor belt that separates the garbage had been damaged in a fire a few months earlier, so workers were manually collecting the trash.
According to testimonies presented at the Manchester Magistrates' Court, workers had been instructed to work on the ground near moving vehicles, which put their safety at risk.
The investigation revealed that there was insufficient supervision and no risk assessment was conducted.
It was also concluded that the company did not take adequate measures to keep vehicles and pedestrians safely separated.
Wheeldon Brothers Waste Limited, based in Bury, Lancashire, admitted to violating health and safety laws and was ordered to pay £250,000 in fines, along with £4,102.32 in legal costs.
Ms. Bailey stated, "Necessary measures should have been taken to prevent the hazards posed by moving vehicles in areas where employees are present."
She also emphasized that this incident should serve as a warning to the waste sector that vehicle traffic in the workplace needs to be properly planned and secured.
Following the incident, an information note containing specific safety instructions regarding the use of wheeled loaders at the waste facility was published.