Recycling company fined for failure to assess risks

A Worcestershire firm has been fined by Stratford District Council for its failure to abide by health and safety regulations.

R & S Recycling Ltd of Beoley, near Redditch, has been prosecuted by the council for failure to adhere to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, in addition to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation 1999.

In June 2015, one of the collection trucks belonging to the company struck an elderly woman while reversing into a car park at Badger Nursery, following collection of recycling waste.

Although this type of incident could have had very serious consequences, the lady avoided any fatal or life-threatening injury. The Nuneaton Magistrates' Court fined the company £5,000, after taking into account the firm's finances, a conviction following a death at the premises in 2011, and failure to cooperate with the council.

According to Councillor Mike Brain, the accident could have been avoided if a risk assessment had been carried out at the site. He added that if it was absolutely necessary to reverse a heavy vehicle, measures should be implemented, which include the help of reversing assistants and avoiding the manoeuvre when members of public may be in the vicinity. Brain also advised that the Health and Safety Executive website has guidance to help carry out safe procedures.

Although the use of PPE and safety workwear would not have helped the member of the public who was struck by the vehicle, it is an integral feature in most health and safety advice.