The fine for Centriforce Products Limited comes after the death of 52-year-old Paul Andrews, who was crushed by an plastic stack bail weighing more than 500kg
UK recycling company Centriforce Products Limited has been fined £120,000 after one of its employees was fatally crushed by falling plastic bales.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Paul Andrews, 52, was killed in an accident two years ago.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) government agency found Centriforce had failed to store the bales of waste plastic securely enough to prevent the risk of collapse at its Liverpool site.
It said the company had also failed to carry out a suitable assessment that would have identified risks to employee safety within the “danger zone” of unstable stacks.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE investigator Rohan Lye said: “This appalling incident could easily have been prevented if Paul’s employer had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and put a safe system of work in place.”
He said the company’s failure left Mr Andrews’ wife Claire and his two daughters without a husband and father.
“Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from dangerous work activities and prevent future tragedies,” he added.
How Centriforce Products Limited failed to protect Paul Andrews
The court heard how the bales had been delivered to Centriforce’s Errington Works site in Derby Road, Bootle, where they were stacked as free-standing columns in a yard.
On the morning of 24 May 2017, a fork lift truck driver noticed one of the columns of bales, stacked three high, had partially collapsed and obstructed his path.
He used the fork lift truck to straighten and stabilise the stack before continuing on his way.
Some hours later, Mr Andrews was working in the immediate vicinity of the stacks when the bales, weighing over 500kg, fell and crushed him.
Centriforce pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
It was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay £10,540.95 in legal costs.
Centriforce Products Limited responds to court punishment
A statement issued by Centriforce’s directors said: “We are very sorry for this tragic accident to Paul Andrews.
“We offer our deepest sympathies and full support to Paul’s family and friends.
“Paul was a very popular colleague and his death has affected us all profoundly, both personally and professionally.
“The safety of our workforce is always our primary concern.
“We have invested significantly in health and safety and will continue to do so.”
Centriforce Products Limited won’t change anything for Paul Andrews’ family
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Mr Andrews’ widow Claire said: “Paul was a much-loved husband and father, and the entire family misses him so much.
“To lose him in such a manner has been unbearable and it has been a very difficult hearing the details once again regarding what he went through in his final hours.
“While nothing will change what has happened, we have always hoped that lessons can be learned so that no one else faces the risks that he did that day.
“With this in mind, it is welcome that new policies have been put in place at the site.
“Now the inquest has concluded, we are going to continue our fight for justice for Paul and truly hope that the problems seen in this case are simply never seen again.”