A Co Armagh based concrete products manufacturer has been fined after an employee was crushed to death.
Following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), Tandragee based company, Taranto Limited has been fined £90,000 following the death of Matthew Biggerstaff, 21.
Matthew was a production operative for Taranto Limited and was working in the company’s main production site at Old Scarva Road in Tandragee on 3 August 2021 when he was killed following a incident involving a mixing drum.
Matthew and two of his colleagues had been tasked to remove concrete which had set on the interior walls of a truck mounted mixing drum.
The employees took turns to enter the interior of the drum, using an impact hammer to manually chip away hardened concrete.
Access was gained by entering the access hatches located on either side of the drum.
Whilst Matthew was completing this task, the drum rotated causing him to be ejected from the access hatch, drawn under the drum, and suffer fatal crush injuries.
Taranto Limited has been fined £90,000 at Newry Crown Court after pleading guilty to a single health and safety offence.
Speaking after the hearing, HSENI Principal Inspector Justine McIntyre said: “This tragic and preventable incident resulted in a young man losing his life.
“Concrete operators must always consider if they can eliminate the need to enter the mixing drum to perform such activities.
“Where this is not possible, employers must ensure that an adequate and robust risk assessment and safe system of work is in place and that employees involved in the work activity have been suitably trained.”
Ms McIntyre continued: “Performing cleaning and maintenance activities within the interior of concrete mixing drums presents safety risks which must be controlled. Both the truck and the mixing drum must be adequately locked out. Following lock-out, where there is any residual risk of the drum rotating, adequate measures must be taken to secure the drum and prevent it from moving when any person is inside.”
The HSENI’s investigation found that the drum had not been effectively locked-off, nor had the drum itself been secured to prevent any powered or inadvertent rotational movement.
The company failed to conduct a suitable task specific risk assessment and implement a safe system of work including the use of appropriate control measures to mitigate the risk.
At the time of Matthew’s death, the Biggerstaff family said they are devastated at his “sudden and tragic death”.
“Matthew had the ability to light up a room with his bubbly personality and his smile,” his family told the Portadown Times.
“Just like any young person of 21, he loved spending time with his friends and he was a great friend to so many people.
“We will remember him most for his smile and his hugs.
“We would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with messages of sympathy and support.
“The fact that there have been so many messages that showed how much he was loved by everyone, is a real comfort at this very difficult time.”