In a serious incident that underscores the critical importance of workplace safety, CF Booth Limited, a prominent metals recycling company based in Yorkshire, has been fined a substantial £1.2 million after one of their workers sustained severe injuries at work whilst at their Rotherham site. The accident, which occurred on 10 August 2020, involved a 32-tonne skip wagon striking an employee who was traversing the site yard.
The incident unfolded at Clarence Metal Works on Armer Street, Rotherham, where the employee, who was not wearing his high-visibility jacket at the time, failed to notice the approaching wagon. Simultaneously, the wagon driver, obstructed by low-level skips while manoeuvring the vehicle, did not see the worker until it was too late. The collision resulted in the worker suffering a fractured skull and breaking his collar bone in two places. Fortunately, the employee has since made a full recovery.
A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed significant lapses in safety measures at the site. Investigators determined that the site lacked an organized system that allowed for the safe circulation of both pedestrians and vehicles. Additionally, it was found that CF Booth Limited had not conducted a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to segregate vehicles and pedestrians effectively.
The lack of adequate control measures such as physical barriers and designated crossing points contributed directly to the accident at work. The HSE emphasizes that every workplace must ensure that traffic routes are both safe and suitable for the users they serve.
On 25 April, at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court, CF Booth Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Along with the hefty fine, the company was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £5,694.85.
HSE inspector Kirstie Durrans commented on the case, stating, “If CF Booth Limited had assessed the risks and ensured vehicles and pedestrians could circulate in a safe manner, this incident could have easily been avoided.” She further warned that the HSE would not hesitate to take stringent enforcement action against firms that fail to meet the required health and safety standards at work.
The Workers Union Says…
“This prosecution was led by HSE enforcement lawyers Karen Park and Kate Harney, with support from paralegal officer Rebecca Forman. This case serves as a potent reminder of the paramount importance of adhering to workplace safety regulations to prevent accidents and protect employees.”
