Excavator operator's mistake costs teenager his arm

At the age of 19 Thomas Bird lost his right arm while working as a labourer for UK Demolition Services on the old Grand Cinema in Cambridgeshire town centre. It was an accident that could have easily been avoided.

Bird's arm was crushed when an unmanned excavator swung around the selector grab pinning his arm. Bird was airlifted to hospital, but later had to have his arm amputated below the elbow.

The HSE investigated and found the excavator operator to be at fault. On leaving the machine he had not switched off the ignition. The side arm was lifted, but as he exited the excavator his coat managed to pull the side arm back down. The power was engaged and the grab swung.

The accident has cost UK Demolition Services £8,000 for two safety breaches and a further £3,500 in costs.

Source: Construction Enquirer