Two companies have been fined following the tragic death of Russell Hartley, a 48-year-old grandfather, at a recycling facility in Bow. The incident occurred on February 24, 2020, when Hartley was replacing machinery in Twelvetrees Crescent.
Russell Hartley, who was from Sheffield, was described by his wife Debbie as a “fantastic father and husband” and “one of the nicest guys you could ever meet.” Hartley was a father of three and had three grandchildren. Debbie expressed the immense loss felt by the family, saying, “I feel like sometimes I am just waiting for him to come home. I can’t accept that he has gone as I couldn’t say goodbye.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the incident was “entirely avoidable” and that Hartley’s death could have been prevented with proper planning, management, and monitoring of the work being conducted. Hartley led a team of four engineers tasked with replacing a Trisomat screen, a machine used to sort waste by sizes, also known as a ‘flip-flop.’
The HSE report revealed that Hartley was crushed when the ‘flip-flop’ toppled while workers attempted to lift it off a telehandler using a crane. Another worker, who was standing on the machine at the time, was thrown off but escaped serious injury.
HSE inspectors Mark Slater and David Beaton led the investigation, which culminated in proceedings at the Old Bailey on Thursday, August 1. The investigation concluded that both contractors involved—Premier Engineering Projects Ltd and M&M Mobile Crane Hire Ltd—had failed to ensure the safety of those performing the work.
Inspector Mark Slater stated, “Had this work been planned, managed, and monitored to a sufficient standard, this incident was entirely avoidable and Mr. Hartley’s family would still have him in their lives. Risks arising from the lifting and moving of equipment of this size and nature are entirely foreseeable, and work of this nature should be afforded the utmost respect and care.”
Premier Engineering Projects Ltd, based in Carlton, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They were fined £28,000 and ordered to pay £9,277.48 in costs.
M&M Mobile Crane Hire Ltd, located in Colnbrook, Slough, also pleaded guilty to the same charge. They received a fine of £48,000 and were ordered to pay £9,500 in costs.
