Gill Aggregates fined £24,000 after worker crushed in conveyor

Gill Aggregates Limited has been fined £24,000 after a worker was drawn into machinery and suffered fatal crush injuries at its site in Dagenham, East London.

Manjit Kumar, 34, was working as a production operative on 24 June 2020 when the incident occurred. He was operating a bag flattening conveyor system that formed part of a larger piece of machinery.

Kumar was drawn into the compression conveyor through an opening in the guarding. His colleagues raised the alarm and stopped the machine. The guarding had to be dismantled so that he could be retrieved. His crush injuries were so significant that he died in hospital a few days later.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company, which supplies pre-packed and loose aggregates and haulage services to builders' merchants and the construction industry, had failed to prevent access to dangerous parts of the machinery.

A fixed guard was fitted around the compression conveyors. But it contained an opening measuring approximately 600mm wide by 335mm high, which allowed access to the dangerous moving parts. Further guarding was installed after the incident to prevent access to the compression conveyors.

Gill Aggregates Ltd, of Northfleet, Kent, pleaded guilty to breaching safety regulations. At Snaresbrook Crown Court it was fined £24,000 and ordered to pay a contribution towards costs of £43,000.

HSE Inspector Adepeju Sogadgi said: "This was a tragic incident that resulted in Manjit losing his life.

"The risks associated with dangerous moving machinery are well known. Employers must ensure that effective measures are in place to prevent workers from gaining access to dangerous parts."

The case is a stark reminder to materials suppliers and construction firms that fixed guarding is only effective if it leaves no route — however small — to dangerous moving parts.