Crushed peat worker ignored danger sign
A PEAT worker suffered fatal injuries when he was crushed in a huge baling machine after ignoring a warning notice not to enter the danger area, a Doncaster inquest heard.
But the employers of Geoffrey Burnitt may still face prosecution because an electrical lock on the gate had been disconnected prior to the incident at Scotts packing station on Hatfield Moors in March 2006.
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death on 54-year-old Mr Burnitt, of Chiltern Road, Goole, who worked at the peatworks for more than 20 years.
He was found trapped in the machine, which had been packing bark chippings for the Focus DIY chain, on the night shift of March 2 and died four days later in Doncaster Royal Infirmary from crush injuries to his chest.
None of his colleagues saw or heard the incident and he was discovered a few minutes afterwards when some of them returned from a meal break.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Richard Noble told the jury he believed he had gone through a safety gate, which should have been locked electrically, to check on a problem and a sensor had started up the machine because it thought Mr Burnitt was another bag and he was trapped under an arm used to lift empty bags.
It would have taken almost five minutes for the machine to stop completely.
Attached to the gate was a hand-written notice on a piece of cardboard which said 'Gate switch not connected. Do not open gate', which had been there for at least five days before the tragedy.
Doncaster Coroner Stanley Hooper said the machine must have stopped for some reason and Mr Burnitt must have entered the danger zone through the gate and accidentally operated one of the sensors causing the machine to start up again.
After the hearing, Mr Burnitt's brother David said they were awaiting a further report from the HSE before deciding if they would take any action against the company.
HSE say they are still considering whether there will be a prosecution of Scotts for breaches of health and safety legislation in relation to the unlocked gate.
A spokesman for the firm, which is one of the largest horticultural compost producers in the UK, said: "The death of Geoff Burnitt was a tragic accident. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Geoff's family.
"As an organisation we at Scotts take seriously the health and safety of our associates in the workplace. Throughout our operations we actively follow and promote best safety practices and strive for an injury-free workplace. During this investigation and review process we continue to co-operate fully with the HSE."
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