A wood panel manufacturer in Chirk, Wrexham, was fined £400,000 after a workplace incident on 31 March 2021 left a worker, Mark Hughes, with life-altering injuries. A 350kg pack of waste MDF sheets fell from a trailer onto Mr. Hughes, 53, crushing his left leg and leading to its amputation below the knee.
Photo: Dreamstime.
An investigation into the manufacturer, Kronospan Limited, by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed significant failings. The MDF sheets were loaded onto a trailer for disposal by a colleague, but as Mr. Hughes removed the straps securing the load, the sheets fell due to poor stacking and transport practices. Additionally, the road on-site was poorly maintained, with potholes exacerbating the risk.
Kronospan produces wood panels for furniture, flooring, and walls. The HSE found Kronospan lacked a suitable risk assessment or safe system of work for handling waste MDF sheets. The company was fined £400,000, with an additional £4,701 in court costs.
Source: www.bigfurnituregroup.com