October 20th 2015

A concrete pumping company has been fined after a worker was injured when his foot got trapped by the paddles in the hopper of a concrete pump.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told Llandudno Magistrates’ Court that on 1 October 2014 a worker was cleaning out a pump following a concrete pour at a construction site on Colwyn Bay promenade.

He lifted the interlocked safety grille and sat on the hopper with his feet inside removing the concrete residue. The safety interlock failed causing the paddles to start moving trapping his left foot resulting in partial amputation.

Reilly Concrete Pumping, of Old Premier Stone Yard, Station Road, Sutton, St Helens, admitted breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, and was fined £8,000 with costs of £1746.         

Speaking after the hearing Health and Safety inspector Chris Wilcox said: “This tragic accident has left the employee suffering life changing injury. Employers are legally required to ensure that work equipment is maintained in a safe condition for use, which in this case was the safety interlock on the hopper grille.”

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/concrete-pumping-company-fined-after-worker-injured/

It is hard for me to believe anyone would put their feet or lets in there while the pump was running.

Pump on or not, why would he need his legs in the hopper while washing out.

interesting how its the companies fault for the ops dumb ass decisions.  ive seen people in the hopper while pto is engaged.  i e-stoped the pump one time and the op threatened to fight me.  ive come to realize that if built-in safeties, big stickers and safety manuals arn't enough, my opinion will mean nothing.  fuck em and let darwin do his thing.

Your opinion does matter..........Voice your thoughts when unsafe actions occur..always