Plant company fined after employee hit by JCB bucket

A plant company has been fined £10,000 after a mechanic suffered life-changing injuries from the impact of a falling JCB bucket. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The mechanic was assisting in the repair of a broken lifting mechanism on a tipper truck, and the JCB was being used to lift the tipper body, when the bucket fell causing multiple fractures, along with a crushed foot and ankle. He also developed a blood clot on his lungs.

The HSE investigation found that the company had not used appropriate equipment during the repairs, as the bucket being used to prop up the body did not have a quick hitch or retaining pin, and fell as a result.