Network Rail has been fined £1.4 million from the ORR for a health and safety breach - after a worker suffered life-changing injuries from a collision on the 19 mile Crewe to Chester line.

The incident happened on 19 September 2018 - just ten miles outside Crewe Railway Station - by the village of Cholmondeston.

ORR (Office of Rail and Road) found failings that led to a worker being crushed between the conveyor of a 25 tonne 'Superboss' ballast distributor and Kubota people carrier.

The worker suffered catastrophic and life-changing injuries to his legs and spine.

A 25 tonne 'Superboss' ballast distributor that crushed the worker (ORR).

He lost 12cm of bone to his left leg and 4cm to his right leg. The tendons and nerves of his right leg were also irreparably damaged - causing permanent disability.

A second worker suffered minor injuries to his wrist and shoulder from the collision.

Network Rail was fined after pleading guilty at Chester Magistrates Court yesterday (11 May 2022).

The health and safety regulator of Britain's railway, the ORR, prosecuted Network Rail under the Health Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The ORR found failings in Network Rail's management of the worksite, including poor planning, failure to provide adequate supervision of the works, poor communication at all levels and failure to provide adequate information, instructions and training to safety critical staff.

District Judge Sanders on sentencing Network Rail stated the subsequent accident was as a result of many layers of failure within Network Rail.

Judge Sanders said there was a failure in the planning with a lack of clarity as to what was going on, failure in the supervision which was insufficiently robust, and there were operating failures by Network Rail.

ORR's HM Chief Inspector of Railways, Ian Prosser CBE, said: "The injuries sustained to a Network Rail employee on 19 September 2018 were horrendous and have had a devastating impact on him and his family, to whom we offer our heartfelt sympathies.

"The incident was caused by totally inadequate supervision of the task at all levels.

"Nobody was making sure that those under their supervision had been following safe working practices, which led to this incident that could easily have been avoided."

The ORR regulates light rail, trams and heritage.

Network Rail have been fined £1.4 million with further charges paid out to ORR (Network Rail)

It aims to deliver advice and enforcement to help ensure the safety of both passengers and workers.

On top of the £1.4m, Network Rail were ordered to pay costs of £63, 118.71 to ORR and a victim surcharge of £190.

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