88娱乐城
The accident, at the Metropolitan Colliery in Helensburgh, occurred when workers tried to rejoin a conveyor belt chain that had become jammed.
A chain connection snapped, putting several employees at risk and striking Gary Hammond on the front of his safety helmet.
Hammond sustained a skull injury that required surgery to relieve brain swelling, secondary surgery to fit a skull prosthesis, and partial loss of sight in his right eye.
Helensburgh pleaded guilty in 2004 to charges that it failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all its employees between May 27-28, 2004.
These failings included:
- failure to provide an adequate system for unjamming, shortening and unjoining the armoured face conveyor;
- failure to ensure workers were adequately informed, instructed and trained in reeving, pulling aspects of working chains and slings and working load limits;
- failure to adequately supervise and identify clear lines of responsibility of workers in relation to unjamming, shortening and rejoining the AFC chain
- Failure to carry out adequate risk assessment in relation to unjamming, shortening and rejoining the AFC chain
Immediately following the accident, Helensburgh took several steps to prevent similar incidents.
In June, 2004, Helensburgh carried out a risk assessment for the longwall where the incident occurred, and held a refresher training course for employees.
A risk assessment on the use of slings and chains was completed in September, and a slings and chains management plan released.
In her ruling, Justice Patricia Staunton said she had taken into account the company's guilty plea, and the action it had taken following the accident to support Hammond and his family.
"By entering its plea, the defendant has acknowledged - there was clearly an inadequate approach taken by them to the task of risk assessment.
"Further, I accept the defendant is genuinely contrite in relation to the circumstances of the accident and the impact it has had on Mr Hammond and his family and other mine employees."
