Kronospan Limited has been fined PS400,000 for an accident at work that left a worker with life-changing injuries.
On 31 March 2021 at the factory of the company in Chirk near Wrexham a waste MDF sheet weighing 350kg fell on Mark Hughes, 53, from Johnstown.
The MDF sheets that fell on Mr Hughes’s leg left him with severe injuries, which ultimately led to an amputation just below the knee. The injury was so severe that Mr Hughes had to move into a home with easy access. After more than two years of being away from Kronospan, Mr Hughes is now working part-time. However, his career and life have been profoundly affected by the injury.
“My injury changed my life. It’s like someone dropped a bomb and didn’t pick up the pieces,” said Mr Hughes. “Everything takes a lot more planning and spontaneous trips are no longer possible.” I will not go anywhere with a lot steps.
“Somedays I feel fine, but other days I am absolutely exhausted after work.” “I’ve been working for Kronospan 27 years, and it is difficult for me to start a new job after my accident,” he said. “Most of my social connections were from work, because I used work long hours. “I have a good quality of life, but it’s a lot different from what it used be.”
Lack of Risk Management
Health and Safety Executive conducted an investigation of the incident. The investigation revealed that Kronospan Limited had several failures. Mr Hughes loaded MDF waste sheets onto a trailer flatbed for transportation across the factory to be destroyed. As he was removing the straps that held the MDF sheets in place, one of the packs fell and hit him.
As a contributing cause, the investigation noted that the road on the site was in poor condition, with many potholes. Kronospan Limited also lacked an adequate risk assessment and a safe work system for stacking, moving and loading MDF waste sheets, despite obvious hazards.
Kronospan Limited has admitted that it violated Section 2(1) Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Act 1974. Act 1974.
After the hearing, HSE Inspector Marie Wheeler stated, “A man suffered injuries that have changed his life forever as a result this company’s negligence.” A proper risk assessment would have prevented the incident. The company did not have a safe system of working in place.”
