A FIRM was today (Monday, May 20) ordered to pay almost £27,000 after a worker had to have his arm amputated after falling into dangerous machinery in an asphalt production plant.

John Wyatt, 61, was employed by Durham-based Tynedale Roadstone Limited and was inspecting the conveyor area at its premises in Newburn Haugh Industrial Estate, Newcastle, when the incident happened on June 18, 2009.

Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Wyatt had gained access to a fenced off area to carry out the inspection, but slipped and fell forward and was caught up in the pulley roller and the conveyor belt.

His right arm was so badly injured that it had to be amputated at the shoulder. He also suffered spinal injuries for which he underwent surgery and fractured all his ribs on the right side, broke his left wrist and suffered friction burns to his stomach and severe facial cuts.

Mr Wyatt, from Northumberland, still has mobility problems and is no longer able to work.

Tynedale Roadstone Limited, of Rennys Lane, Dragonville Industrial Estate, Durham, represented by its managing director David Elliott, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations.

 

The firm was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,994.

Alun Williams, prosecuting, said that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had found the safety gates to the plant fitted with special locks to restrict access and to ensure the machine was switched off before anyone could enter.

However, these had been disabled.

And a guard protecting the conveyor belt had been earlier removed by Mr Wyatt to check for build-up of material. He had not replaced it, because he was unable to lift it alone.

The investigation concluded there were no suitable risk assessments, inadequate safe systems of work and a lack of information and instruction for employees.

Rod Searl, mitigating, said the company had been in existence for 15 years in “a quite hazardous industry” and this was the first incident of its kind.

He added there had been changes in policies, procedures and practices following a comprehensive review.

Tynedale Roadstone Limited, of Rennys Lane, Dragonville Industrial Estate, Durham, represented by its managing director David Elliott, pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety regulations.

The firm was ordered to pay costs of £18,994.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Sal Brecken, said: “This incident was easily preventable had Tynedale Roadstone carried out an adequate risk assessment of their equipment and properly supervised their employees.”