UPM Fined by Court Over Fatal Crush at Shotton Paper Mill

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): UPM-Kymmene (UK) Limited of Irvine and C M Downton (Haulage Contractors) Limited of Moreton Valance have been fined £350,000 each by Mold Magistrates Court for a fatal incident at UPM’s Shotton Paper Mill on February 6^th, 2017, in which a 29-year old employee was fatally crushed.

The investigation conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had alleged that the paper mill facility had no mechanisms in place to segregate pedestrians and vehicles. Furthermore, it also pointed out that the drivers had limited visibility when driving large shovel loaders. Incidentally, the contract worker, Austin Thomas, died after being struck from behind by a Volvo shovel loader while working at the facility.

Mhairi Duffy, HSE Inspector noted that an effective system for managing workplace transport could have prevented the death of the employee. The Court order is a reminder to all employers to implement necessary safety and control measures to avoid risks from moving vehicles in their workplaces, he added.

In addition to £350,000 fine, UPM has been ordered to pay costs of £6,711.90 and £170 as victim surcharge. Also, C M Downton (Haulage Contractors) Limited will have to pay £6,613.90 in costs and £170 as victim surcharge.

The Shotton paper mill, with processing capacity of around 360,000 tonnes of paper per annum, is one of the largest newsprint mills in the UK.