Personal injury news

Boss pays £3,000 fine for accident at work

A young apprentice had three of his fingers amputated after a safety grille was removed from a cement mixer at work.

Robert Haywood, 18, was working on Wembley Stadium when his hand was crushed in the mechanisms of a cement mixer. Haywood had been working on the project for only four days when the accident at work occurred.

A safety grille on the Brinkman screed pump, which mixes cement at high speeds, had been removed, allowing the teenager's hand to be dragged in while pouring in a bag of cement. The serious hand injury caused Mr Haywood to have three fingers amputated.

The Health and Safety Executive, which prosecuted his boss, Ian Goom, following an investigation, said the accident at work could have been avoided if Mr Haywood was properly supervised.

HSE Inspector Simon Hester said, "The risks associated when employing young people are well known. Managers of young people should take into account their inexperience and possible lack of awareness in assessing potential dangers."Ian Goom was charged under Health & Safety regulations in connection with Mr Haywood's serious personal injuries.

When appearing before the City of London Magistrates' Court, Goom pleaded guilty and was fined £3,000.