A Scottish company has been fined following an incident where a worker suffered serious injuries including a fractured skull and a ripped earlobe. The employee was also left with haematomas down his right side and a broken clavicle while working at Grayshill Limited. The accident occurred on October 19, 2022, when the worker was struck by a telehandler bucket at the company’s base.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducted an investigation into the incident and found that Grayshill Limited had failed to implement a safe system of work for the use of quick hitches on the telehandler. A quick hitch is a device that allows attachments to be connected and changed quickly. In this case, the telehandler bucket became detached and injured the worker because the securing pin for the quick hitch had not been reinserted after the equipment was serviced.
Hazel Dobb, a principal inspector at the Health and Safety Executive, described the incident as serious and highlighted the company’s failure to carry out proper control measures and safe working practices. Grayshill Limited, based in Cumbernauld, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations at Airdrie Sheriff Court.
As a result, on October 28, 2024, the company was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £6,000. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring workplace safety measures are in place and followed to prevent such accidents from occurring.
In conclusion, workplace safety should always be a top priority for companies to protect the well-being of their employees. Proper training, thorough equipment maintenance, and strict adherence to safety protocols can prevent devastating incidents like the one at Grayshill Limited. It is essential for businesses to take responsibility for the safety of their workers and ensure that all necessary precautions are in place to avoid accidents and injuries.