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Concrete pump severs cleaner's foot

21 Oct 15 A concrete pumping company has been fined £8,000 after a worker was injured when his foot got trapped by the paddles in the hopper of a concrete pump.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) told Llandudno Magistrates’ Court that on 1st October 2014 a worker was cleaning out a pump following a concrete pour at a construction site on Colwyn Bay promenade. He lifted the interlocked safety grille and sat on the hopper with his feet inside removing the concrete residue. The safety interlock failed, causing the paddles to start moving. They trapped his left foot, resulting in partial amputation.

Reilly Concrete Pumping, of Sutton, St Helens, admitted breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. It was fined £8,000 with costs of £1746.         

HSE inspector Chris Wilcox said after the hearing: “This tragic accident has left the employee suffering life changing injury. Employers are legally required to ensure that work equipment is maintained in a safe condition for use, which in this case was the safety interlock on the hopper grille.”

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