An environmental management services company has been fined after a worker was fatally injured by a reversing vehicle.
The Crown Court heard how on 8 April 2016, an employee of an Enterprise Company was fatally crushed when he tripped and fell under the wheels of the refuse lorry whilst on a routine collection of recyclable refuse.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment had not been carried out for the collection route and there was a failure to adequately supervise the waste and recycling round.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They have been fined £1,020,000 and ordered to pay costs of £60,476.
Speaking after the hearing, the HSE inspector said: “This tragic incident led to the death of a young man, which could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out a suitable and sufficient route risk assessment and identifying where reversing could be avoided.
“Those in control of workplaces are responsible for identifying and implementing suitable methods of working to reduce the need for vehicle reversing.
“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.
Information provided by https://press.hse.gov.uk/2021/03/31/environmental-management-services-company-fined-after-worker-fatally-crushed/