On May 13, 2022, a major workplace accident occurred at London Energy Ltd transfer station in Edmonton, London resulting in serious injuries to an Enfield Council employee, Mr Paul McDaid.
How it happened
On 13 May 2022 Mr McDaid, a 58-year-old Enfield council employee was working at the waste transfer facility operated by London Energy Ltd. After unloading waste into a nearby bay, he was closing the tailgate of his tractor, and he was struck from behind by a shovel loader that was reversing unaware of his presence. This collision crushed Mr McDaid between the two vehicles, causing him significant injuries.
At the time, the site was undergoing construction works and operations were being conducted in a temporary area. There were no effective measures in place to separate pedestrians from moving vehicles which could sustain injuries.
HSE Investigation:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an investigation following the incident and concluded that:
The company had not undertaken suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the work being carried out in the temporary area.
- There were no adequate control measures to segregate pedestrians from vehicles despite clear legal guidance requiring this.
- There was a failure to design and enforce a safe system of work for the site, especially during the construction period when normal arrangements were disrupted.
The lack of effective segregation between vehicles and pedestrians resulted in the accident
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Legal outcome:
London Energy Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at work at Work Act 1974 which requires employers to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable that their activities do not expose non-employees to risks to their health or safety.
At a hearing on 27 June 2025 at Westminster Magistrates the company was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay £5,573 in costs.
HSE inspector Pippa Knott said, “Due to the failings of this company a man has been left with serious injuries.”
“They failed to segregate pedestrians and vehicles, putting both employees and council workers at risk.”
“Too many workers are injured every year as a result of being struck by moving vehicles which could be avoided by implementing suitable control measures.”
The HSE prosecution was brought by HSE enforcement lawyer Rebecca Schwartz and paralegal officer Helen Hugo.
Do I need to notify the HSE of my construction project and complete an F10?