14.01.2015

JCB fined for production line accident

JCB has been fined £25,000 plus £1,500 in costs, after an employee was crushed while working on the telehandler production line in Rocester, UK

Roger Pearce, 56, was installing a mirror arm when a colleague, unaware he was there, tested the vehicle’s steering, crushing him between the frame and the front wheel. The incident caused multiple fractures to his ribs and spine as well as internal injuries. The company has been fined for having no risk assessment in place.

Dave Brassington, prosecuting for the Health and Safety Executive told Stafford Magistrates’ court that Pierce was employed through an agency when the incident happened on June 3rd 2013. It was the first day of production following a change in procedure for the installation of the mirror. It had previously been fitted earlier in the assembly process, before the hydraulics were live.

JCB pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Act 1999.

JCB said that Pearce’s situation has improved and that it has continued to pay him since the incident, and is hopeful he will soon be able to return to work. It claims the incident was an isolated breach and added the company takes health and safety very seriously. It also said that the sequence of assembly was immediately reviewed and changed. Adding “There is no question in this case of this company taking short cuts over health and safety for profit reasons. We do not skimp on health and safety”.

District Judge Jack McGarva said: “It is disappointing to see JCB, a well-run company, convicted of these serious offences. But it had no risk assessment in place. Mr Pearce sustained very serious injuries. It is no exaggeration to say the incident could have resulted in a fatality. There is no suggestion he was at fault for what happened. He was injured because testing was carried out when he was in close proximity to the vehicle. JCB fell well below the standard that could reasonably be expected of them.”