Transport company fined after Health & Safety failings led to death.
A haulage company has been fined after a worker was fatally crushed while helping to repark lorries in a yard.
He had been stood behind a lorry to give directions as the vehicle was backed up. But was struck when the lorry shunted backwards.
An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found the haulager’s Health & Safety failings included not:
- assessing risks
- providing a safe system of work
- providing adequate instruction and training
Every day happening
The firm did not permit staff to stand behind vehicles to give directions and so had not provided training on how to do it.
However, the court was told standing behind vehicles and giving directions happened ‘every day’ as colleagues helped each other.
Preventable
Colin Lawson Transport Ltd pleaded guilty to breaking the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
It was fined £180,000.
The HSE said the incident could have been prevented if a safe system of work when moving vehicles had been in place.
It added employers should be aware the HSE would not hesitate to take enforcement action against anyone falling below the required standards.
