In the News Elsewhere

An East Yorkshire garden landscaping  supply company has been fined £600,000 after an employee died while loading a lorry. The deceased was operating a forklift truck at the  company’s site.  They were fatally injured when the lorry they were loading  was moved by the driver, pulling the forklift truck over and trapping them underneath.

An  investigation  by  the  Health  and  Safety Executive (HSE) found the risk assessment failed to take into account the possibility of lorries moving while they are being loaded. HSE also found that the systems of work provided for ensuring that vehicles were not moved during loading activities were inadequate.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching  Section 2(1)  of  the Health  and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £600,000 and ordered to pay £20,848.71 in costs.

The deceased’s eldest son said: “Not a  day goes by without me thinking of my dad and how we have lost a massive  part of our family. He was our rock who  we could turn to for advice and help. We have lost a friend and a father and  a grandad all in one go. He was a well- known part of the local area and his loss  has affected many people around the  community. We miss him so much. It still  upsets me to this day and we will always  remember him. Rest in peace dad.”

The deceased’s partner said: “He went  to work on that day but didn’t return home through no fault of his own. We  had made plans for the future together but then everything was turned upside  down on that day. My life was then a total disaster from that day.”

HSE  inspector commented: “This  incident could have been avoided by implementing the correct control measures and safe working practices. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take  appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”

 

Always INSIST ON SAFETY