Bristol-based waste and recycling company, Bateman Skips Ltd, has been fined £64,666 after a worker sustained life-changing crush injuries when their arm was pulled into an unguarded conveyor belt. The incident, which occurred on 27 January 2024 at the company’s waste and recycling facility, led to severe physical and emotional trauma for the employee. The firm was also ordered to pay £4,657 in costs at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 5 June 2026.
Unguarded Conveyor Drags Worker’s Arm, Causing Severe Trauma
The worker was attempting to clear a blockage on the plant when they slipped and made contact with the unguarded tail-end of a conveyor belt, which was actively carrying waste materials. Their arm was subsequently dragged into the machinery, resulting in multiple bone fractures, severe lacerations, significant nerve damage, and a fractured rib.
The profound impact of these injuries has left the individual unable to pursue hobbies they once enjoyed, such as cycling, playing darts and snooker with their sons, and working on cars.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Bateman Skips Ltd had failed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of its employees. Specifically, the company did not prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery and failed to implement a safe system of work for clearing blockages within its waste recovery facility. These failings directly contributed to the severity of the incident and the worker’s devastating injuries.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974, which places a general duty on employers to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees.
They also admitted to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). HSE guidance on PUWER clearly states that any part of a machine posing a foreseeable risk of harm is considered dangerous, and employers must protect workers through suitable risk assessments, safeguarding measures like guards, and robust systems of work including isolation procedures, clear instructions, training, and adequate supervision.
In a personal statement, the injured worker described the incident as “the most traumatic thing I have ever experienced both physically and mentally,” adding that they anticipate it will continue to affect them for the remainder of their life. This testimony underscored the long-term consequences of the company’s safety failures, extending far beyond the immediate physical wounds to encompass a lasting impact on the worker’s quality of life and mental well-being.
HSE Inspector Laura Artosi highlighted that contact with moving machinery remains one of the most frequent causes of workplace fatalities in Great Britain. She emphasised that such incidents often stem from poorly guarded machines and the absence of a robust health and safety management system. Inspector Artosi stated that this particular incident was entirely preventable, causing immense physical and emotional pain to the worker and their family. She concluded that had Bateman Skips Ltd ensured appropriate guarding was installed on the conveyor’s tail-end and implemented a safe system for clearing blockages, this serious injury would not have occurred.
The prosecution, brought before the court by HSE Enforcement Lawyer Jonathan Bambro and Paralegal Officer Gabrielle O’Sullivan, serves as a stark reminder to all employers of their fundamental duty to provide a safe and healthy working environment. Adherence to established safety regulations and proactive risk management are essential to prevent similar life-altering incidents and protect the workforce.
This story was originally published by HSE Media Centre
