An Edinburgh construction supply company has been fined after admitting a failure to ensure the health and safety of one of its employees.

The Builders Supply Company Limited of 8 Inglis Green Road, Edinburgh, was fined £5,000 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

The Incident occurred on 26 April 2010 when a 19-year-old employee was attempting to lift a hopper off the ground using a forklift truck.

The man was driving on uneven ground when the hopper legs swung towards him. He brought his hands up to shield himself and the left hopper leg struck him, crushing his hand against the roof of the forklift.

He underwent surgery at Borders General Hospital, where an orthopaedic surgeon described his injury as a "severe" fracture of the left thumb.

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His hand required three surgical screws and external fixators.

The employee was off work for about six weeks and, when he returned, had the scope of his duties restricted. He is no longer employed by the Building Supply Company.

City of Edinburgh Council health and safety officers investigated and found the practice of lifting the hopper in this manner dangerous, given the lack of any designated lifting points.

The conclusion was that the incident was both preventable and foreseeable.

The City of Edinburgh Council issued a Prohibition Notice to the Builders Supply Company to prevent the moving of the hopper on the forks of the forklift truck.

The company has taken steps to amend their work practices to prevent any recurrence.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Environment Convener, said: "Cases such as this illustrate just how vital it is for employers to be absolutely scrupulous about keeping their workplaces as safe as possible for their staff. This incident resulted in a severe injury to one young employee.

"Businesses have a legal duty to make sure their employees' health, safety and welfare at work are ensured so far as reasonably practicable and the Council will thoroughly investigate those who fail to do so."

(IT/GK)