Llandrindod Well Magistates' Court heard that the employees were moving large concrete barriers using a telescopic handler when the incident happened. An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered that after one of the 2.5 tonne, three metre barriers had been laid on wooden bearers, it toppled over and knocked the employee to the ground, crushing his left leg. He suffered three fractures and a shattered knee cap.
The court was told the incident occurred because the workers moving the barriers were using inappropriate equipment and an unsafe system of work.The investigation found none of the employees asked to move the barriers, had been trained to do so and that no risk assessment had been carried out by the Council to determine a safe system of work.
At the time of the incident, Powys County Council owned equipment which was suitable for moving concrete barriers. However, this was kept at the premises of one of the Council's contractors and the team at the Abercraf depot were unaware of its existence.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Sarah Baldwin-Jones said, "there is no excuse for employers failing to safeguard their workers. Had the employees been properly trained to safely move the concrete barriers, using the correct equipment, and a proper risk assessment carried out by Powys County Council, this incident would not have occurred and the employee would not have been seriously injured."
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