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PHW · Waste and recycling · 2025-09-30

Blackpole Recycling Limited fined £160,000 after a loading shovel's bucket fell onto a worker during hydraulic repairs

Worcester, Worcestershire · Kidderminster Magistrates' Court

What happened

A maintenance worker was repairing a hydraulic leak on a loading shovel when the vehicle's bucket fell onto him. The company had failed to carry out a risk assessment, establish safe working procedures or provide adequate training for the repair.

Injuries: Crush injuries including fractured ribs, leg, foot and a pelvis shattered into three pieces.

The breach

Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

The sentence

  • Fine: £160,000
  • Costs: £7,049
HSE inspector

“This incident could and should have been prevented.”

What would have prevented it

Risk-assess maintenance work such as a hydraulic repair on a loading shovel, set up a safe system of work for it, and give workers proper information, instruction and training before they start.

How PHW helps

The machines, packs and quizzes that fit this kind of site.

Sector

Skip wagons reverse across the yard. Pickers are on foot. Could you show who is trained, on the day?

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Safety pack

Vehicle marshal (banksman and reversing)

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Machine

Mini digger and 360 excavator training

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Quiz

Who is allowed to run the plant on your site, and where is it written down?

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Source: HSE press release, Worcester waste company fined after worker suffers life-changing crush injuries