Serious personal injury was suffered by a self employed builder after he was crushed between the arms of a brick clamp attached to a lorry loader.
In order to assist lorry driver Mark Pratten in positioning his crane, so he could pick up building materials which were situated awkwardly behind an eight foot wall, Peter Hoy, 47, had clambered onto the roof of a cabin.
The accident occurred when Mr. Pratten attempted to give Mr. Hoy a lift using the grab of his crane, for getting down quickly from the cabin, however as Mr. Hoy positioned himself between the arms of the brick clamp, the lorry driver inadvertently pressed the machines clamp button causing Mr. Hoy to be crushed.
As a consequence, Mr. Hoy’s pelvis was fractured in the incident and he also suffered internal damage.
The resulting injuries are so severe that he has not, as yet been able to return to work.
The incident was investigated by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and it was revealed that Mark Pratten, 53, had acted inappropriately by trying to lift a fellow worker with the brick clamp, being fully aware that it was not suitable for the task.
Consequently, after admitting a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act, Mark Pratten, of Radstock was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 in court costs.