Crest Nicholson Operations has been fined after a worker was run over by a HGV and sustained life-threatening injuries…

Fines of more than £810,000 have been levied at construction firm Crest Nicholson Operations after a site foreman was hit by a HGV.

David Cole suffered life-threatening injuries as a result of the event, which saw him pulled under the vehicle.

The incident occurred in December 2014 in Wokingham. Cole was hit after walking along the road on the nearside of the vehicle. The truck, which had just reversed into a junction, pulled forward and turned towards the nearside.

Life threatening injuries sustained by worker

The injuries sustained by Cole were described by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as “serious” and “life threatening”. The skin on his left arm and leg was removed and split. He suffered a left hip fracture, and his left leg is now shorter than his right by 20mm. Cole’s fingers on his left hand were also broken.

The subsequent investigation carried out by the HSE found the accident could have been avoided with proper safety measures in place. Action should have been taken by Crest Nicholson Operations to ensure workers stayed behind the pedestrian barriers and to stop trucks from reversing long distances.

Crest Nicholson Operations pleaded guilty to breaching the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 at Reading Crown Court and was fined £800,000 with £10,984 in costs.