Armagh Fairground operator fined after worker crushed
Nigel Bell was fined £5,000 plus costs of £1,140 at Downpatrick Crown Court today after pleading guilty to a breach of Article 4 of the Health and Safety at Work Order (NI) 1978.
The case arose from a HSENI investigation into an incident at Castle Park, Abbey Street, Bangor involving County Armagh fairground operator Nigel Bell on 24 April 2014.
The incident occurred during the dismantling and removal of a fairground ride during which a 27 year old employee was trapped after a trailer that was being pulled by nylon strapping rolled out of control. It came to rest when it hit a wall, crushing the worker who sustained a number of injuries to his body which still require medical treatment.
HSENI’s investigation revealed that the method Nigel Bell was using to move the trailer was unsafe and there was no mechanism to stop it rolling too far. On this occasion his employee was crushed between the trailer and a wall.
Speaking after the hearing, Kevin Campbell, an inspector with HSENI’s Major Investigation Team said: “This accident was easily preventable and underlines the need for trailers to be properly attached to lorry units and for trailers to have sufficient brakes to bring them to a halt.”
HSENI Press release
