Durham Waste Firm Employee Run Over by Excavator

Posted on 19/08/2025

A waste management company in County Durham has received a fine following an incident where a 24-year-old employee was run over by an excavator. The company, Farm XS (Northern) Limited, was sentenced for the occurrence on January 29, 2024.

The incident occurred while the employee was performing his duties, which involved sorting and moving waste materials at the site in close proximity to dangerous vehicles. According to reports, he was hit from behind by the excavator and subsequently run over. As a result, he sustained fractures to both of his feet.

The employee had only been working at the Staindrop Road site for two weeks.

What Caused the Worker to be Run Over by an Excavator?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the incident and found that it could have been easily avoided if proper control measures had been implemented.

It was found that there had been insufficient safety measures in place at the site. HSE discovered that there were no designated walkways or barriers separating workers from moving vehicles, putting employees in danger due to the lack of a proper system of work.

There was no physical separation between pedestrians and vehicles, and no risk assessment or protective measures in place. Additionally, the company did not provide any training or supervision for employees on how to safely work around heavy machinery.

According to HSE guidance, to avoid employees being run over by excavators, it is necessary for pedestrians and vehicles to be kept separate during manual waste sorting. It is the legal responsibility of employers to ensure that traffic routes are safe for workers in close proximity. Additional information can be found on their website under ‘Transport movements.‘

Causes of Excavator Accidents

Unfortunately, accidents involving heavy machinery like excavators aren’t uncommon in the workplace. These powerful machines are essential for many industries, such as construction and waste management, but they also pose a significant risk to workers’ safety.

There are several reasons why excavator accidents may occur in the workplace. Some of the most common causes include:

Lack of proper training: Operating an excavator requires specific skills and knowledge. When workers do not receive adequate training, they may make mistakes that lead to accidents.
Equipment malfunction: Like any machine, excavators can experience malfunctions due to poor maintenance or manufacturing defects.
Human error: Even with proper training, human error can still occur. This can happen when operators become fatigued or distracted.
Poor visibility: Excavators have large blind spots that can make it challenging to see workers on the ground.
Improper use of equipment: Sometimes, workers may use an excavator for tasks beyond its intended purpose, which could lead to accidents.
Inadequate safety precautions: Employers have a responsibility to ensure that workers are provided with the necessary safety equipment and follow proper safety protocols when operating an excavator.

Types of Excavator Accidents

These accidents can take various forms beyond being run over by the excavator. Some common types of excavator accidents include:

Falls from excavators: Workers may fall from an excavator if they are not wearing proper harnesses or if the machine is positioned on unstable ground.
Struck-by accidents: These occur when a worker is struck by a part of the excavator or its attachments, such as the bucket or boom.
Pinch-point accidents: Excavators have many moving parts that can trap workers’ limbs and cause severe injuries.
Trench collapses: Excavators are often used in trenching operations, and if the walls of a trench are not properly supported, they can collapse, trapping workers inside.
Rollovers: If an excavator is operated on uneven or soft ground, it may tip over, crushing workers underneath.

Potential Injuries Caused by Excavator Accidents

The injuries caused by being run over by an excavator — or any other type of excavator accident — can be severe and even fatal. Some common injuries sustained in these accidents include:

Crush injuries: Being caught between an excavator and another object, or being run over by it, can result in severe crush injuries, often leading to broken bones, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
Traumatic amputations: Excavator accidents involving pinch points or struck-by incidents can result in the loss of fingers, limbs, or other body parts.
Spinal cord injuries: Falls from excavators or rollovers can cause spinal cord injuries that may lead to permanent paralysis.
Traumatic brain injuries: If a worker’s head is struck by a part of the excavator or if they are involved in a rollover accident, they may sustain a traumatic brain injury. This type of injury can result in long-term cognitive impairments and disabilities.
Burns: Contact with hot surfaces of an excavator or exposure to hazardous materials during an accident can cause burns.

Safety Lessons to Prevent Employees from Being Run Over by an Excavator

HSE inspector Richard McMullen expressed his concern over the incident involving the young man being run over by the excavator, stating that it could have had a much worse outcome. He emphasized the need for implementing safe practices and control measures to ensure that workers are not put at risk from moving vehicles. This includes clear segregation between vehicles and pedestrians, as well as safe refuges for workers to seek shelter in case of any danger.

“The outcome could have been much worse. But the failures that day meant a worker received serious injuries. This incident was easily avoidable by implementing control measures and safe practices to ensure that workers were not put at risk from moving vehicles, including clear segregation and safe refuges. This should be a reminder to the waste industry of the need to consider workplace transport risks and to introduce appropriate control measures to separate vehicles and pedestrians.”

Preventing Excavator Accidents

Excavator accidents can be devastating not only for the injured workers but also for their families and employers. To prevent these types of accidents from occurring, it’s essential to implement strict safety protocols and provide proper training for all workers who operate excavators. Some safety measures that should be taken include:

Adequate training on how to operate an excavator safely
Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment
Use of proper safety gear, such as hard hats, high-visibility vests, and harnesses
Implementation of a spotter system to help operators see blind spots
Properly assessing ground conditions before operating an excavator on a job site

On Tuesday 5 August 2025 at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, Farm XS (Northern) Limited, located at Shaw Bank, Staindrop Road in Barnard Castle, County Durham, pleaded guilty to violating Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The verdict resulted in a fine of £4,000 and costs of £4,285 for the company.

This incident serves as a reminder to the waste industry about the importance of considering workplace transport risks and taking necessary steps to mitigate them. It is crucial for employers to prioritize the safety of their employees and implement appropriate control measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

Have You Been Run Over by an Excavator at Work? Contact Our Team Today.

If you have been injured at work — be it by being run over by an excavator or any other form of accident — you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, this may include coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Do not hesitate to protect yourself and exercise your rights after being injured. Your health and well-being are too valuable to ignore. It is crucial to understand your rights and take action to protect yourself.

Our experienced work accident team are here to help. We have represented countless workers who have been injured on the job and helped them recover the compensation they deserve.

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