Sharon Bramhall lost a leg following a serious incident at Baker & Baker Products. The 58-year-old had to have her left leg amputated below the knee following the incident at the company’s premises on Stadium Road.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed a series of failings by Baker & Baker Products UK Limited.
The court heard how Mrs Bramhall had been supervising four other members of staff as they completed high-level cleaning tasks during a night shift on 22 April 2022. She had been acting as ‘a banksman’ for an employee who was controlling a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP). As the MEWP turned through 90 degrees into the warehouse it struck Sharon, crushing her left leg. The incident was captured on CCTV.
She was hospitalised for three months and has had a total of nine operations including several skin grafts.
The company failed to have in place a suitable and sufficient safe system of work when escorting MEWP’s from a parked position to point of use. They also failed to provide information, instruction and training for the movement of the MEWP and use of banksman and also failed to adhere to their normal practice and company policy to ensure a trained MEWP operator acted as banskman.
Baker & Baker Products UK Limited pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) and 33(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £400,000 and was ordered to pay costs of £7,266 costs.
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