Grandad Russell Hartley crushed to death at Bow recycling facility

Russell Hartley, 48, was replacing machinery at a recycling facility in Twelvetrees Crescent in Bow on February 24, 2020, when he was killed in an “entirely avoidable” incident. 

Russell was a dad of three and also had three grandchildren. 

His wife, Debbie, said: “Russell was everything to us. He was funny and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. 

“Nothing was ever too much. If it needed doing, he got it done. He was a fantastic father and husband. He worshipped his grandkids and all his family. 

“I feel like sometimes I am just waiting for him to come home. I can’t accept that he has gone as I couldn’t say goodbye. Nothing prepared me for that moment. I thought he would be here and live on forever. 

“All he ever wanted was to keep his family happy and looked after and I will try to keep that dream alive.” 

Russell Hartley, who was from Sheffield (Image: HSE) An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the incident was "entirely avoidable" and Russell would still be alive had the work been planned, managed and monitored sufficiently. 

Two contractors - Premier Engineering Projects Ltd and M&M Mobile Crane Hire Ltd - failed to ensure the safety of those carrying out the work. 

The HSE said self-employed engineer Russell led a team of four engineers replacing a Trisomat screen, a machine known colloquially as a ‘flip-flop’ which sorts waste by sizes. 

Russell was crushed when the ‘flip-flop’ toppled as workers tried to lift it off a telehandler using a crane. 

Another worker who was standing on the ‘flip-flop’ when it toppled was thrown off the machine but escaped serious injury. 

Russell Hartley was crushed to death by the Trisomat screen pictured here (Image: HSE) HSE inspector Mark Slater, who investigated this incident alongside fellow HSE inspector David Beaton, said: “Had this work been planned, managed and monitored to a sufficient standard, this incident was entirely avoidable and Mr Hartley’s family would still have him in their lives. 

“Risks arising from the lifting and moving of equipment of this size and nature are entirely foreseeable, and work of this nature should be afforded the utmost respect and care.” 

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The HSE investigation resulted in proceedings at the Old Bailey on Thursday (August 1). 

Premier Engineering Projects Ltd, of Industry Road in Carlton, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £28,000 and ordered to pay £9,277.48 in costs. 

M&M Mobile Crane Hire Ltd, of David Road in Colnbrook, Slough, pleaded guilty to the same charge and was fined £48,000 and ordered to pay £9,500 in costs.