Housebuilder Bellway Homes has been fined, along with subcontractor A D Bly Construction, after a worker was struck by a telehandler.
Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 14 July 2015, a groundworker was run over by a telehandler whilst undertaking work in the middle of the construction site road.
The worker passed under the body of the reversing telehandler, rather than the wheels, which the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said would “have likely resulted in his death”.
The resulting injuries included chipped vertebra, muscular and tendon damage and the worker has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
An investigation by the HSE found both the principal contractor, Bellway Homes, and subcontractor, A D Bly Construction, failed in their duties to effectively plan, manage and monitor control measures to address the risks associated with construction site vehicles.
The investigation also found they failed to manage and control the risk of persons being struck by a vehicle on their construction site.
A D Bly Construction, based in Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 15(2) of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and has been fined £26,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,271.38.
Bellway Homes pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and has been fined £31,500 and ordered to pay costs of £48,600.
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Ian Shearring said: “The risks associated with construction vehicles is well known and both companies failed in their duties to address these. Both Bellway Homes as the principal contractor, and A D Bly as subcontractor, have today been held to account for failing to take adequate action to protect the health and safety of persons working on their site.”
