A Newry waste firm has been fined for a health and safety breach after an employee had to have his lower right leg amputated.

Regen Waste Lts was fined £15,000 plus costs of £664.

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) launched an investigation on 24 April 2014 after Mr Jurczyk was struck by a reversing vehicle at the company's premises in Carnbane Industrial Estate, Newry.

Mr Jurczyk, along with other employees, were brushing up aluminium material from below and around a conveyor system into small piles for a skid-loader to remove. As Mr Jurczyk was brushing, the skid-loader operating in his area ran over his leg.

The HSENI investigation found the company had failed to ensure a safe system of work to prevent accidents. Proper consideration had not been given to how workers and vehicles could be kept apart, with the result that a person was run over resulting in horrific injuries. The lack of good all-round visibility on the skid loader was also a significant factor.

Kevin Campbell, an inspector with HSENI's Major Investigation Team, said: "All businesses must ensure that vehicle movements are properly controlled on site and where possible people and vehicles separated.

"Reversing manoeuvres are particularly dangerous and, where possible, should be avoided. If they cannot, then measures should be taken to prevent people being struck or run over.

"Vehicles must be well maintained and mirrors or cameras need to be fitted correctly to ensure good all-round visibility."

(CD/JP)