Falkirk Council fined after worker’s arm crushed by bin lorry

Prosecutor Richard Brown told Falkirk Sheriff Court that a second mechanic working at ground level on the truck narrowly escaped being struck.

Colleagues who heard a bang and Mr Paul’s screams for help fought for 10 minutes with tools, jacks and a forklift truck to free him, before he was taken to Forth Valley Royal Hospital and transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The incident happened about 13:25 on 23 February, 2022.

Mr Paul’s elbow bone was fractured and he required a number of operations, including repairs to the bone and tendons.

The pain was so intense he cracked a tooth, leading to a major abscess, which meant a surgical drain had to be inserted in his neck, leaving a scar.

He remains under the care of a plastic surgeon, has restricted movement in the damaged arm, had to learn to write with his left hand, and has had to learn to drive an automatic car.

The court was told that Mr Paul has not worked since the incident, but hopes to retrain for a new line of work.

Barry Smith KC, defending, said the council expressed its “sincere regret that its hitherto unblemished safety record is no longer so”.

He said the accident could have been avoided if a propping system had been put in place.

Imposing the fine, Sheriff Maryam Labaki said Mr Paul had been left with “life-changing” injuries.

“Sadly and tragically, this was an avoidable incident,” she said.