JCB fined 25,000 pounds

Digger giant JCB has been fined £25,000 after a worker suffered multiple injuries while working on the production line.

Roger Pearce was installing a mirror arm on the vehicle when a colleague, unaware Mr Pearce was there, tested the machine's steering, crushing him between the vehicle and the wheel.

The 56-year-old sustained multiple fractures to his ribs and spine, as well as internal injuries, and remains unable to work.

Stafford Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Pearce was working at JCB's Rocester plant through an agency when the incident happened on June 3^rd, 2013. The accident happened on the first day following a change of procedure for the installation of the mirror. Previously it had been fitted earlier in the production process, before the hydraulics were 'live'.

Dave Brassington, prosecuting for the Health and Safety executive said "Moving the fitting of the mirror to an area where they were testing hydraulics was a recipe for disaster."

JCB pleaded guilty to breaching section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 3 (1) (b) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations Act 1999.

As well as the £25,000 fine, the company must also pay a £120 surcharge and £1,390.12 costs.

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Whitestone's

Rochdale Work Accident Solicitors