Barnsley Man Talks Of Relief As Employer Pleads Guilty To Breaching Health And Safety Laws
02/06/2011
A South Yorkshire man who suffered a horrific ordeal after an engineering machine dragged him through a CD case-sized hole has spoken of his relief after his employer admitted breaches in health and safety regulations.
Matthew Lowe, 25, from Barnsley claims that he was lucky to survive the accident at Compass Engineering, which left him with a broken arm, nerve damage, a torn bowel, a fractured rib, fractures to his vertebrae and a smashed hip joint.
Mr Lowe, who was employed by the firm as a plater, was working on a large saw and drill machine at the time of the accident when a lifting arm became attached to his overalls and dragged him through the five-inch wide hatch in the wall. In addition to his multiple physical injuries, Mr Lowe has also been left suffering with severe psychological injuries, including nightmares and flashbacks.
In a heading at Barnsley Magistrates Court today, both Compass Engineering and Kaltenbach, the company who installed the machine, pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and the case has now been referred to Sheffield Crown Court for sentencing.
Workplace injury specialists at law firm Irwin Mitchell, representing Mr Lowe, welcomed the Health and Safety Executive’s decision to prosecute his former employer and called for more to be done to reduce the number of accidents at work. His solicitors are now working with Compass Engineering to seek a rehabilitation package to help his recovery.
Sally Rissbrook, a solicitor in Irwin Mitchell’s Industrial Injury team, said: “This was a horrific accident which has been extremely distressing for Mr Lowe, and it could so easily have been avoided if his employer had followed basic health and safety procedures.
“There is also a wider issue that needs to be addressed, as far too many people are injured each year through no fault of their own, simply while they are carrying out duties at work.
“Many of these cases would have been avoided if businesses had followed simple health and safety procedures, and more must be done to protect workers and make sure companies comply with regulations.
“We have repeatedly called for improvements in safety standards and will continue to campaign for the rights of the victims we represent.”
Mr Lowe said: “This prosecution isn’t about securing justice, or seeing Compass Engineering and Kaltenbach publicly flogged in court. What matters most is that the industry learns from my experience.
“My life has changed forever and no matter how well I recover from my physical injuries I will still have the psychological impact of the accident hanging over me.
“I hope my case highlights the dangers posed by not following health and safety regulations. It still won’t be able to put my life back to how it was before the accident but at least then it might prevent others from suffering in the future.
“Too many people are needlessly killed and injured in accidents at work. If hearing my story makes them think twice about safety, and about the daily risks they face in the workplace, then I’ll be happy.
“Eliminating risk is now a big part of my life as I train to become a site supervisor. I know more than most why that is so important – and I really hope that message gets through.
“I would like to thank the doctors, my family, friends and solicitors at Irwin Mitchell for their help and support over this difficult time. I now hope to put the worst behind me and begin to move on with my life.”
Sally Rissbrook added: “After the suffering Mr Lowe has endured it is crucial that he is able to access the rehabilitation he needs in order to help him recover and rebuild his life.
“Not only has he suffered extreme physical injury but he has also suffered from the psychological impact associated with such an ordeal. It is now vital that he receives the necessary specialist rehabilitation, and hopefully this expert help will make a huge difference to his recovery and quality of life.”
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