Man badly hurt at work

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) brought charges against Paul Nathan Batty after a colleague lost an eye and suffered severe injuries when he was hit by a falling excavator bucket.

Their employer, Bloom Plant Ltd also admitted failing to ensure the health and safety and welfare at work of all its employees, and will be sentenced at Crown Court.

Worksop Magistrates heard how the accident happened on James Wilson’s first day at work on the former Seafield site on Kilton Road, on 10th January 2011.

The HSE said a Volvo EC360 excavator was being operated by Mr Batty, 30, of Grange Road, Ordsall.

He was using it to break 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, below.

Mr Wilson, of Misterton, was scalped and lost his left eye. He suffered a broken eye socket, cheekbone, jaw, nose, left collarbone, several ribs and his left tibia and fibular. He also punctured a lung and severed the nerves on his bottom lip.

He was in a coma for two weeks and had a tracheotomy to help him breathe. He had extensive reconstructive surgery.

HSE investigations after the accident found the company lacked training and supervision in the use of the excavator.

Lawyers offered sincere apologies to Mr Wilson on behalf of both Bloom Plant Ltd and Paul Batty.

Kate Blackwell, representing Bloom, said the accident was a ‘one off’, and that the company had suffered a ‘huge outlay to ensure it would never happen again’.

Jonathon Dee, for Batty, said he admitted he had been ‘careless’.

“Statements in the aftermath describe Mr Batty being in pieces, crying and covered in blood. The first thing he did was rush and help Mr Wilson by moving the bucket off him,” he said. “He has been traumatised by what has happened.”

Magistrates sentenced Batty to a 12 month community order with 250 hours unpaid work and £200 costs.

Bloom Plant Ltd, of Askham Road, East Markham will be sentenced by a higher court at a date to be confirmed.