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Croydon resident Devon Stoner, 44, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the incident in January this year, when he was carrying out demolition work for Sloane Demolition Limited in Kent.
On January 20th 2011, five employees, including the defendant were sorting through rubble and reclaiming bricks at the former Leybourne Grange Hospital in West Malling, Kent.
Workers were putting bricks from a demolished chimney breast into the bucket of an excavator which the operator had left switched off but with the keys left in it.
Mr Stoner climbed into the excavator and began to move it around the site, however he was unable to control the machine and caused a wall to collapse.
A co-worker was unable to move out of the way quickly enough and was trapped, suffering serious injuries to his left leg, a broken right ankle and a shattered shin.
Mr Stoner was not trained or authorised by Sloane Demolition Ltd to operate this type of plant equipment.
HSE inspector David Fussell said workplace transport is the second biggest cause of fatal accidents in the UK.
"It is extremely fortunate that this incident didn't result in a death. Nationally around 80 people are killed every year, and there are more than 1,500 major injuries," he stated.
"The fact that serious injury or death can result from the use of machinery and vehicles makes it all the more essential for employees to have respect for, and follow the safe working procedures for workplace transport that have been put in place by their employers."
Quantum Risk Management are leading Health and Safety Consultants
Worker prosecuted over machinery accident
A demolition worker has been taken to court after his actions left one of his colleagues with serious leg injuries.Croydon resident Devon Stoner, 44, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the incident in January this year, when he was carrying out demolition work for Sloane Demolition Limited in Kent.
On January 20th 2011, five employees, including the defendant were sorting through rubble and reclaiming bricks at the former Leybourne Grange Hospital in West Malling, Kent.
Workers were putting bricks from a demolished chimney breast into the bucket of an excavator which the operator had left switched off but with the keys left in it.
Mr Stoner climbed into the excavator and began to move it around the site, however he was unable to control the machine and caused a wall to collapse.
A co-worker was unable to move out of the way quickly enough and was trapped, suffering serious injuries to his left leg, a broken right ankle and a shattered shin.
Mr Stoner was not trained or authorised by Sloane Demolition Ltd to operate this type of plant equipment.
HSE inspector David Fussell said workplace transport is the second biggest cause of fatal accidents in the UK.
"It is extremely fortunate that this incident didn't result in a death. Nationally around 80 people are killed every year, and there are more than 1,500 major injuries," he stated.
"The fact that serious injury or death can result from the use of machinery and vehicles makes it all the more essential for employees to have respect for, and follow the safe working procedures for workplace transport that have been put in place by their employers."
Quantum Risk Management are leading Health and Safety Consultants
Posted on 16/01/2012
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0845 6780076
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