A South Essex firm has been ordered to pay more than £22,000 after admitting safety lapses which led to a man losing a leg in an accident.

Boss - Seaborne's Alan Tann leaves the court Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Alan Jackson, 38, from Pitsea, was severely injured when his truck overturned while carrying a 40ft-long metal container at a yard owned by Seaborne Container Services and Supplies Ltd, at Oliver Road, West Thurrock.

Southend Crown Court heard how his vehicle hit a pothole which caused it to sway from side to side before tipping over and trapping his leg. He was rushed to hospital, but, despite the efforts of doctors, his leg had to be amputated.

Following the accident in Oliver Road, West Thurrock, on November 21, 2002, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated Seaborne, which stores metal cargo containers while they are not in use.

The HSE found the company had failed to repair potholes, failed to train its staff properly and stored containers in a dangerous way, and charged Seaborne with failing to ensure the health and safety of employees.

At the court hearing at Southend on Friday, the company admitted the charges.

Hugh Hammil, mitigating, said: "Clearly this was an accident waiting to happen and for that reason we have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and taken significant steps to remedy the defects."

Published Monday May 24, 2004

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