Worker lost an eye in horrific work accident

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought charges against Bloom Plant Ltd after labourer James Wilson was severely injured on his first day working for the demolition firm at a site in Worksop.

Mr Wilson, from Misterton, lost his left eye and part of his scalp when he was hit by a falling excavator bucket on the former Seafield site, on Kilton Road, on 10th January 2011.

He also broke his eye socket, cheekbone, jaw, nose, left collarbone, several ribs and his left leg, as well as suffering a punctured a lung severed nerves on his bottom lip.

The HSE said that a Volvo EC360 excavator was being operated by another worker to break up slabs of concrete and feed it into a crusher.

But while operating it, a four tonne ‘bucket’ for carrying the rubble came loose and fell onto Mr Wilson, who was stood below.

A spokesman for the HSE said: “Mr Wilson was in a coma for two weeks and had to have a tracheotomy to help him breathe.”

“He also needed extensive reconstructive surgery. He is still receiving medical treatment.”

Investigations carried out by the HSE following the accident found the company lacked training and supervision in the use of the excavator.

Bloom Plant Ltd, of Askham Road, East Markham, admitted failing to ensure the health and safety and welfare at work of all its employees at a hearing at Worksop Magistrates Court in October last year.

At that hearing Kate Blackwell, representing Bloom Plant Ltd, said the accident had been a ‘one off’.

She told the court that the company had suffered a ‘huge outlay to ensure it would never happen again’.

The man who had been driving the excavator when the accident happened was also sentenced at that hearing, and was given a 12-month community order with 250 hours unpaid work.

Bloom Plant Ltd is due to be sentenced at a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court today (Thursday).

For a full report of what happened at the sentencing, including reaction from the HSE, see next week’s Gainsborough Standard or visit the website at www.gainsboroughstandard.co.uk