Blackburn skip firm sentenced over worker’s death 11 December 2013

Blackburn Skip Hire and its owner Zarif Mohammed have been ordered to pay £80,000 in fines and costs after a 21-year-old worker was crushed to death.

Amin Qabil was using a skid steer loader to move rubbish when the incident happened on 21 August 2010. An investigation by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) found that the vehicle was unsafe to use and that he had not received training.

Preston Crown Court heard yesterday (10 December 2013) that the firm had bought the second-hand skid steer loader at an auction, but had failed to ensure its safety features were working when it used the vehicle at its warehouse on the Kensulate Park industrial estate.

In fact, the restraint bar had been disabled, which meant the controls could still be operated when no one was sitting in the cab. The minimum engine speed had also been increased, and a fault meant the vehicle could reverse unexpectedly.

HSE believes that the worker probably caught a lever as he climbed out of the cab and was crushed against the vehicle when the bucket on the front was raised.

Blackburn Skip Hire and Zarif Mohammed both pleaded guilty to single breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and PUWER (the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998).

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Matt Greenly said: "Amin Qabil's life was brought to an end after he suffered horrific injuries caused by a vehicle that should never have been in use.

"Blackburn Skip Hire should have made sure the skid steer loader ... was safe to use, and that workers were properly trained. Instead vital safety features had been disabled and lives were put at risk as a result."

Brian Tinham

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