Liverpool-based plastics processor and reprocessor, Centriforce Products, has been fined following a worker fatality.
The company was ordered to pay more than £130,000 in fines and costs after the 2017 death of its employee, Paul Andrews. Andrews was killed when bales of collected plastic waste fell onto him.
The case, which was heard at Liverpool Crown Court, covered how the bales of plastic had been stacked in free-standing, unsecured columns.
On the morning of Andrews’ death, a forklift truck driver had attempted to restack a column of three bales which looked to be falling over. Later that morning, Andrews was working in the same area and was crushed by falling bales, each of which weighed about 500kg.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that Centriforce had failed to store the bales securely, so as to prevent the collapse. Risk to employees was also not suitably assessed.
Centriforce pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £120,000 and ordered to pay costs of £10,540.
In 2016, Centriforce was fined £200,000 after a worker suffered life-changing injuries after his arm was crushed in a recycling line machine.
Following this latest case, a statement released by Centriforce said: “We are very sorry for this tragic accident to Paul Andrews. We offer our deepest sympathies and full support to Paul’s family and friends.”
Andrews is survived by his wife, Claire, and their two daughters.