Site worker ‘should not have been given that task’ trial told

THE director of a company that supplied a groundworker who went on to lose his arm after a disc cutter accident has told a court he should never have been tasked with the job.

Morgan Prosser suffered the horrific injury in 2017 while under the watch of Helston-based company MJL Contractors when the cutter kicked back.

MJL Contractors is currently on trial at Truro Crown Court charged with a risk to health and safety offence in a prosecution brought by the Health and Safety Executive. It denies the charge.

Prosecuting the case, Sean Brunton, QC, described how the incident took place at Wainhomes’ Borough View development in Bodmin and that Mr Prosser was one of the groundworkers managed and supervised by MJL.

The Health and Safety Executive alleges that the accident was preventable

Andrew Coles, director of AMC Groundwork South West Ltd, whose business supplies labour to the construction industry, confirmed that Mr Prosser was ticketed to operate a dumper truck.

He added that he had been shown how to use a disc cutter, which Mr Prosser would use on occasions.

Mr Brunton asked Mr Coles if Mr Prosser would ever have used one to cut reinforced beams, to which he replied: “Probably not, not with me, anyway.”

Mr Brunton further enquired if he would expect Mr Prosser to be cutting reinforced beams, with Mr Coles saying: “Definitely not, no.”

Mr Coles added: “I would have expected the site agent to ask if he had used a disc cutter and was competent enough with it to cut the reinforced beams.”

The trial continues.