Babcock Rail employee Lee Woolley was struck by a road-rail vehicle (RRV) on 8th March 2013 and trapped against the platform edge of Hope railway station. He was knocked unconscious and suffered injuries to his legs, abdomen and back.
The Office of Rail &Road (ORR) prosecuted after its investigation found that Babcock Rail was aware that there was a risk of collision between maintenance vehicles and workers renewing the track but had done little or nothing about it. A 3mph speed limit for vehicles was not being monitored or enforced, and no attempts were made to set up exclusion zones or positions of safety for those working near moving vehicles.
HM chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser: “This was an avoidable incident which left a rail worker with serious injuries. Babcock Rail’s safety management fell below the standards required, as inadequate planning and coordination of track renewals placed workers in unnecessary danger. Safety of rail workers is one of the regulator’s key priorities and we will take appropriate action against companies or individuals wherever failings are found.”
Babcock Rail Limited pleaded guilty at Mold Magistrates’ Court on 15th January 2016 to breaches under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It was sentenced at Mold Crown Court on 5th February 2016.
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