Story Highlight
– Employee crushed by reversing telehandler at Sheridan Skips.
– Incident occurred on 12 March 2024 at Smiths Yard.
– Jordan Campion suffered life-changing injuries and permanent sight loss.
– Company fined £24,000 for safety regulation breaches.
– Investigation highlighted lack of vehicle-pedestrian segregation measures.
Full Story
A waste management company has faced legal repercussions following a serious workplace accident that left an employee with life-altering injuries. The incident, which occurred on March 12, 2024, involved Jordan Campion, a 21-year-old from Burnley, while he was employed by Sheridan Skips Burnley Limited at their site on Clifton Street.
At the time of the incident, Mr. Campion was engaged in the manual sorting and separation of waste materials alongside three colleagues. In a tragic turn of events, while he was positioned against a brick wall, a telehandler operated by a colleague reversed unexpectedly, crushing Mr. Campion against the wall.
The severity of the incident resulted in Mr. Campion sustaining multiple fractures throughout his body, as well as nerve damage to his right arm and significant internal organ injuries. Moreover, he experienced partial hearing loss in his right ear and developed a blood clot that led to optical damage in his right eye, ultimately resulting in permanent sight loss.
An inquiry conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined that employees frequently operated in the yard while vehicles were in motion, a circumstance that presented substantial risks due to a lack of adequate safety measures. Sheridan Skips Burnley Limited was found to have neglected to perform a thorough risk assessment, which could have identified the dangers present in the work environment.
Critically, the investigation also highlighted that the telehandler lacked essential reversing mirrors, which would have aided the operator in maintaining visibility while reversing. This oversight had not been rectified by the company, thereby amplifying the risks associated with vehicular movement near pedestrians in the yard.
The HSE investigation noted, “Mr. Campion and the other employees were regularly put in jeopardy due to the absence of proper controls to separate vehicle traffic from personnel,” underscoring the company’s responsibility to ensure a safe working environment.
Following nearly two weeks of hospitalization, Mr. Campion provided a personal statement reflecting on the traumatic incident. He expressed the immense distress it caused both to him and his family, stating, “They permanently worry about me; they never thought that I wouldn’t be safe in work. They say you never expect to see your child go off to work and to get a phone call to say that they have had an incident and might not survive.”
On March 11, 2026, Sheridan Skips Burnley Limited appeared at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, where they admitted guilt in breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The court imposed a fine of £24,000 on the company, along with an order to pay £4,777 in costs associated with the proceedings.
Following the court ruling, HSE inspector Anthony Banks commented on the preventability of Mr. Campion’s injuries, stating, “This young man’s injuries could so easily have been avoided with the implementation of safe working practices, including pedestrian and vehicle segregation and safe refuges for workers whilst vehicles were operating.” He emphasized that adopting these safety measures would have protected workers from the imminent risks posed by vehicle movements in the yard.
The incident has drawn attention to the significant safety challenges existent within the waste management and recycling sectors. Recommendations from the HSE stress that employers should rigorously evaluate workplace transport safety, ensuring the establishment of control measures that effectively separate vehicle operations from employee activities.
In the wake of the incident, calls for improved safety protocols within the industry have gained traction. Julian White, the HSE enforcement lawyer who supported the prosecution, along with paralegal officer Hannah Snelling, reiterated the necessity for all companies in the sector to rigorously adhere to safety regulations.
The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of inadequate health and safety practices in the workplace. The HSE continues to advocate for enhanced vigilance among employers in ensuring the well-being of their employees, particularly in environments where heavy machinery operates alongside human workers.
The ongoing support for Mr. Campion and similar victims highlights the broader implications of workplace safety. Many are calling for increased awareness and training, aimed at preventing future occurrences of such workplace incidents, which might otherwise lead to severe injuries or even fatalities.
As the industry moves forward, the focus remains on implementing robust measures and fostering a culture prioritizing health and safety, ensuring that such avoidable accidents do not reoccur in the future.
Our Thoughts
Sheridan Skips Burnley Limited failed to adequately assess and mitigate risks associated with moving vehicles in their yard, breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. To prevent the incident involving Jordan Campion, the company could have implemented effective pedestrian and vehicle segregation measures, such as designated walkways for workers and barriers to protect employees from vehicle movement. The absence of mirrors on the telehandler exacerbated the hazard; ensuring all equipment is well-maintained and fitted with necessary safety features is crucial.
Key safety lessons include the importance of conducting thorough risk assessments and adopting proactive safety measures in high-risk environments, particularly where pedestrians and vehicles coexist. Regular training and safety briefings for all employees on vehicle interaction could also enhance awareness and compliance. Implementing these improvements not only aligns with legal requirements but also significantly reduces the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
