Summary
Power Plane Limited, a road planing contractor based in Leicestershire, has been fined £92,450 following a workplace accident on 14 February 2024 that resulted in a worker’s leg being amputated. The 32-year-old employee was operating a road milling machine in Basingstoke when his foot became entangled in the rotating drum, necessitating an on-site amputation by emergency services. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the company routinely operated the machinery without the manufacturer’s ‘protective bow’ guard fitted. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was also ordered to pay £6,781 in costs.
Analysis
This case highlights a severe and systemic failure in safety culture, as the HSE investigation revealed that bypassing essential safety guards was “common practice” within the firm rather than an isolated error. The incident demonstrates the catastrophic consequences of neglecting the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), which mandate that dangerous parts of machinery must be guarded. By prioritising operational convenience over manufacturer-specified safety protocols, the company turned a wholly avoidable risk into a life-changing injury. The substantial fine and prosecution serve as a critical reminder to the construction and roadworks industry that safety equipment provided by manufacturers is non-negotiable and its removal carries significant legal and human costs.
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