A construction company has been fined after an employee received crush injuries during a school demolition project in Cheshire.

Complete Demolition Ltd of Stafford House, Westbury Industrial Estate, Hyde pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 13(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. It was fined £40,000 with over £7,246 in costs.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the firm was contracted to level the school at Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port on 27 November 2013 to make way for a new leisure centre.

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However while the site was being cleared, the driver of a company skip wagon was attempting to reverse into an area that was already occupied by a 40-tonne excavator that was manoeuvring out of the way.

A worker was standing in the same area and as the excavator moved it hit the 45-year-old victim, knocking him to the ground where its tracks ran over his left foot.

The court heard how the victim has been severely affected by his injuries since the incident. He has had to undergo several operations to rebuild his foot, is still in constant pain and is unable to work.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found arrangements ensuring pedestrians and vehicles were separated were inadequate. In addition, HSE found there was insufficient control of workers on the site.

HSE Inspector Deborah Walker said: "This was an entirely foreseeable incident which could have been avoided. The company failed to properly plan for the duration of the works putting pedestrians at risk."

(LM/CD)