Two major transport companies have been fined a combined total of £2.2m after ‘a loving dad and husband’ was killed when he was hit by a HGV in Birmingham.
A worker was struck by a reversing HGV on 30 August 2019. The incident happened at the premises of the company when the vehicle reversed out of a parking space in the transport yard. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the companies had failed to manage the risk associated with workplace transport.
In a statement issued by his family, the worker was described as ‘a loving dad’ and ‘caring husband’. He did anything and everything he could to provide for his family, they said.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £1.9m and ordered to pay costs of £7,300.
The second company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,300.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector said: “This tragic incident was completely preventable. Both companies failed to recognise and control the risks associated with workplace transport, and in particular the dangers of reversing vehicles and poor visibility.
“The principle of ensuring pedestrians and vehicles are kept apart is well known and the measures needed to ensure separation and control the risk need not be complicated.
“If the companies had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place, this incident would not have happened.”
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Source of information: HSE: Information about health and safety at work