A significant verdict was delivered on Monday, April 24th, by Judge Dara Hayes at Naas Circuit Court. Digby Bridge Sand and Gravel Co. Limited, trading as Dolly Skip Hire, faced a total fine of €55,000.

The case revolved around an unfortunate incident that took place on November 27th, 2017. While engaged in cleaning operations on a conveyor belt, an employee of Digby Bridge Sand and Gravel Co. Limited, T/A Dolly Skip Hire, sustained severe injuries.

Located at Osberstown Business Park, Carragh Road, Naas, County Kildare, Digby Bridge Sand and Gravel Co. Limited, the owners of a Construction and Waste processing facility, were found to have failed in their responsibility to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of their employees during work activities. Specifically, they neglected to adequately manage and operate the processing plant, resulting in the absence of fixed guarding on moving parts and the lack of interlocking access doors. Regrettably, this led to the amputation of the employee's left arm.

Digby Bridge Sand and Gravel Co. Limited pleaded guilty to one charge, specifically Section 8(2)(a) in violation of Section 77(9)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005. Additional charges related to Section 19 and Section 8(2)(g) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, along with Regulation 33(e) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work General Application Regulations, were taken into account during the sentencing process.

Commenting on the case, Mark Cullen, Interim CEO of the HSA (Health and Safety Authority), emphasized the importance of thorough risk assessments and the implementation of precautionary measures by employers across all work areas. Failure to do so significantly increases the likelihood of serious injuries befalling employees, as exemplified in this regrettable incident. Incidents of this nature are entirely preventable.

Source: hse.ie