A vehicle maintenance company has been fined after a worker suffered serious head injuries.
The court heard the apprentice along with an experienced mechanic was replacing air suspension bags beneath a 39,000kg trailer.
But the still under pressure bag ejected sideways and struck the apprentice fracturing his skull.
Failings
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found the work had been unsafe as the employer had failed to:
- assess risk
- put in place a safe system of work
- make sure employees were appropriately trained and monitored
Sentence
Central England Municipals Limited (trading as M6 Commercials) admitted breaking the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
It was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £921.
The HSE said ‘If a suitable safe system of work has been in place prior to the incident the life-changing injuries sustained by the employee could have been prevented’.
