Bridgend County Borough Council was this week fined for the incident that left driver, Mark Morgan, with a broken leg.

Mr Morgan was driving a one tonne vehicle through woodland near Moel Gilau Lane, Bettws, on 25 September 2008 when the truck slide down a road.

It toppled over – trapping the driver’s left leg between the vehicle and a tree, a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation showed the truck was unsuitable for the steepness of the route.

The council also failed to carry out a formal, written risk assessment of the work or the selection of plant being used.

Investigators also found there was ‘no evidence’ staff were adequately trained in the use of small items of plant equipment such as the dumper truck in this incident.

The Council pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Bridgend Magistrates’ Court earlier this week.

They were fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,623, after the hearing HSE inspector Ceri Beynon spoke out.

She said: “Risks associated with improper use should never be underestimated and this incident could easily have been prevented.

“Employers have a duty of care to ensure that drivers are suitably trained, risks are properly assessed, and that adequate safety measures are in place.

“Those involved in the planning and execution of work involving the use of plant or equipment needs to ensure they are fully aware of the safety limitations of use.”

Luke Walsh

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