Court told firm would not risk its employees
The wife and business partner of a haulage firm boss up in court after a worker lost a thumb in a machine accident told a jury they would never put any of their employees at risk.
Clair Hazel was giving evidence in a case brought by the Health and Safety Executive against her husband Chris, who runs Chris Hazel Haulage in Ludlow.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard John Bagley suffered serious injuries to his hand, wrist and forearm when his overalls got caught up in a shot blasting machine at the firm in March last year.
Mr Bagley claimed that the chain guard was not in place and had not been for some time, possibly as long as six months. He also told the jury earlier in the trial he had never seen Hazel carry out any checks or complete any paperwork on the machine.
But Mrs Hazel told the jury: "We have never put any of our employees at risk, and we have been in business as a partnership for over 15 years."
The jury also heard yesterday from Keith Owen, who like Mr Bagley was employed as an HGV driver by the firm but also did some shot blasting as and when required. He said he had been fully trained how to use the machine in question by Hazel and warned on the safety risks.
Mr Owen was asked: "Mr Bagley suggested at the time of the incident the guard had been left off the machine for something like six months. What do you say about that?"
"It's a lie," Mr Owen replied.
Hazel denies failing to comply with work equipment regulations and failing to adhere to health and safety at work regulations.
The trial continues.
