Firm fined £266k after worker crushed by lorries

Barrett Steel Limited, based in Bradford, says it has made changes to prevent accidents

A steel company has been fined £266,000 after an employee was crushed between two lorries, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

The woman has been unable to work since suffering multiple fractures during the incident in Scunthorpe in 2022 and described it as "the day my world fell apart".

Barrett Steel Limited, of Cutler Heights Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty to breaching general duty to an employee under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was sentenced at Hull Crown Court on Monday.

Andy Warcup, the chief executive, said: "We sincerely apologise for our failings which contributed to the accident taking place and the injuries which our employee sustained."

North Lincolnshire Council, which investigated the incident, said the employee was working as a driver at Kass Steel Stockholders, on Glebe Road, Scunthorpe, on 4 February 2022.

She was checking the load on her lorry was safe before leaving the site when she was crushed between the rear of her vehicle and another lorry, which was reversing.

An air ambulance was called to take her to Hull Royal Infirmary, where she stayed for several weeks.

'Terrible accident'

The council investigation found Barrett Steel, which operates Kass Steel Stockholders, failed to implement a safe system to ensure pedestrians were protected from moving vehicles.

Councillor Carl Sherwood, the cabinet member for community wellbeing, said: "Employers have a legal and moral duty to protect staff and failing to do so can result in serious, preventable harm.

"This was a terrible accident and our thoughts are with the injured individual."

Mr Warcup said the company had implemented a number of changes and improvements to prevent similar incidents.

"We hope our employee's injuries continue to improve and that the conclusion of this case offers some degree of closure," he added.

Barrett Steel was also ordered to pay £9,740 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190.

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