Steel plant worker lost leg in horrific accident, court told

Steel plant worker lost leg in horrific accident, court told

5 February 2014

A FACTORY worker had to have part of his leg amputated after an accident at a Castlewellan steel plant, a Crown Court has heard.

Walter Watson Limited was fined £17,500 at Downpatrick Crown Court after admitting a charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of employees brought against the company by the Health and Safety Executive (HSENI).

The case relates to an incident at the company’s premises at the Ballylough Road in Castlewellan in which Mr. Jonathan McKee, a lorry driver with the company, was seriously injured.

The court heard that on January 28, 2012, Mr. McKee moved a 4.4 tonne steel tube from a ‘low loader’ using a fork lift truck, for which he had no training.

He parked up, and went to check where the load was to be left.

As he was returning to the fork lift the large cylindrical pipe rolled off the forks, catching his right leg.

Although as a result of the accident Mr. McKee had to have his right leg amputated just below the knee, he still works for the firm on a part time basis.

The subsequent investigation by the HSENI discovered that Mr. McKee was not a forklift truck operator and had not received any training or instruction in the operation of the vehicle.

Judge Geoffrey Miller QC told company director David Barr that while the accident was foreseeable, the Castle-wellan firm had no previous convictions, nor had it shown a wanton disregard for health and safety.

The judge said generally the steel fabrication firm was a good company with no systematic departure from good working practices.

After the hearing Denise Donaghy an inspector within HSENI’s Major Investigation Team said the risks associated with forklift trucks and the lifting of large objects have been well known about and well documented for many years.

“No-one should be allowed to operate a forklift truck unless they have received the appropriate training and instruction,” she said.

The firm was also ordered to pay costs of £7,200.

A spokesman for Walter Watson Ltd. said it was regrettable that anyone should sustain injury from a workplace accident during the course of their employment.

“Jonathan McKee is a valued member of the company, and a highly skilled and competent HGV driver with extensive experience operating all types of construction plant and equipment,” he said.

“Prior training was inclusive of the competency qualification for the operation of Telescopic forklifts,” he added.