Wayne Hatton’s story is a powerful example of the long-lasting impact of workplace accidents. In January 2021, Mr Hatton’s legs were crushed by an 800kg steel pallet at work, leading to the amputation of his lower right leg and two toes on his left foot. Mr Hatton, from Doncaster, was working as a supervisor for concrete manufacturer Amber Precast Ltd, when the 800kg pallet fell on him as it was being moved from a reinforced concrete cast by a crane. It had not been secured onto the lifting chains properly.
An investigation carried out by the Health & Safety Executive. It was found that the company had not implemented a safe system of work to ensure the pallet could be removed safely. The HSE brought proceedings against Mr Hatton’s employer, concrete manufacturer Amber Precast Ltd. The company admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and received a £60,000 fine.
The accident left Mr Hatton bedridden for nine months and he now wears a prosthetic leg. While the physical and mental impacts were severe, Mr Hatton says the hardest part was not being able to say goodbye to his father, who died during his recovery. The incident also strained his relationship with his teenage son, who had to care for him.
As reported by the BBC on 16.01.27, Mr Hatton spoke about the accident after the company’s fine: “Everyone always says ‘you have handled it really well’, but they don’t see you on a day-to-day basis, just getting out of bed, putting your leg on and off and getting in and out of the shower and toilet”
A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided with the correct instruction and implementation of an agreed safe working procedure.”
The case highlights how an accident at work can lead to a life-changing and life-long impact for the injured employee.
Further reading: Have you been injured at work?
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