Rotherham firm fined £1.2m after worker hit by 32-tonne skip wagon

A Yorkshire metal recycling company has been fined more than £1 million after a worker was hit by a truck on the site.

The man was an employee of CF Booth limited and worked at its processing site in Rotherham when, on August 10, 2020, he was hit by a 32-tonne skip wagon. He was not wearing a hi-vis jacket and did not see the truck. The driver also did not see the employee as they were concentrating on manoeuvring the vehicle around some skips.

After being hit, he suffered a fractured skull and collar bone. He has since made a full recovery.

Read More: Devastated Huddersfield family's tribute to 'loveable rogue' after sudden and tragic death

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation and found that at the time of the accident, the site was not organised in a way which was safe for both pedestrians and drivers to navigate. A workplace transport risk assessment was not in place to segregate pedestrians and vehicles.

During the investigation, the HSE also found the company had failed to properly assess the risks posed by the movement of both pedestrians and vehicles. According to the HSE, this accident could have been avoided if the risks had been properly assessed and if appropriate control measures, such as barriers and crossing points, had been implemented.

Get all the latest and breaking South Yorkshire news straight to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter here.

The case appeared before Sheffield Magistrates Court on April 25 and CF Booth Limited, of Armer Street, Rotherham, pleaded guilty of breaching section two of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was fined £1.2m and has been ordered to pay costs of £5,694.85.

HSE Inspector Kirstie Durrans said after the case: "If CF Booth Limited had assessed the risks and ensured vehicles and pedestrians could circulate in a safe manner, this incident could have easily been avoided.

"Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards."