A serious safety incident led to severe injuries and a substantial fine for a Glasgow company.
- An employee suffered multiple injuries after being struck by a telehandler bucket.
- The Health and Safety Executive found lapses in safety protocols at Grayshill Limited.
- The company pleaded guilty to several breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
- A court imposed a significant fine and victim surcharge following the incident.
In a troubling incident, a Glasgow company faced an £80,000 fine after an employee was seriously injured when a telehandler bucket fell, causing a fractured skull, broken clavicle, damaged earlobe, and haematomas. This accident occurred as the worker was managing cattle unloading from a lorry, at the site’s Grayshill Limited location on 19th October 2022.
The root of the incident was traced back to a maintenance error. An independent agricultural engineer, responsible for servicing the telehandler, failed to correctly resecure the bucket post-maintenance. The absence of a vital securing pin for the quick hitch system was identified, revealing significant shortcomings in safety protocols.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) delved into the accident, concluding that Grayshill Limited neglected to enforce a secure operational system concerning quick hitches on telehandlers. According to HSE principal inspector Hazel Dobb, ‘This was a serious incident that has resulted in a worker sustaining horrific injuries.’ The investigation highlighted that not only did the company fail to implement necessary control measures, but they also did not perform adequate safety checks on vehicles following repairs or service.
As a result of these oversights, Grayshill Limited admitted guilt to contravening several segments of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, particularly Sections 2(1), 2(2)(a), and 33(1)(a). Consequently, the Airdrie Sheriff Court ruled in favour of an £80,000 fine with an additional victim surcharge of £6,000, reflecting the severity of the lapse and its impact.
The incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous safety checks and compliance with established protocols to prevent future accidents.
