A company contracted to lay a pipe under a road surface was fined yesterday after a worker was hit by a passing bus.
It it is usual to maintain a 0.5m safety zone as a restricted area when undertaking this kind of work.
The company in question, Rebeck Communications Limited, decided that a temporary traffic management system would be used, allowing one lane to be closed while still allowing traffic to pass on the other remaining lane.
During the reinstatement of the road surface a worker was struck by a bus causing serious injuries including a dislocated knee and severe ligament and muscle damage.
The court was told the 0.5m safety zone was not being maintained and no other control measures were in place.
Rebeck Communications, who are based in Northamptonshire, pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations and was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £1293.
For advice on health and safety matters in the workplace and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, please call us on 0151 251 0070.
