Two companies fined after health and safety audits
Two companies have been fined due to a worker death. The 48-year-old worker died in 2006 when a mini digger he was driving was hit by a lorry. He was crushed when the digger overturned. The lorry was taking 20 tonnes of aggregate around a construction site. Hallam and JH Construction were prosecuted after health and safety audits found problems with their safety and health procedures. The two companies did not conduct proper workstation risk assessments to avoid any issues with the lorry and digger movements. Had there been proper planning, organisation, and control the material would not have tipped and crushed a worker.
Nothing in the workstation assessment that was conducted showed any concern about the uneven ground or the weight of the material causing an issue with operating vehicles. Had things been properly outlined the incident would not have occurred. It was certainly poor planning according to the testimony of the court case. There was also a lack of supervision of a zone that would be excluded from vehicle operations. Both companies did plead guilty to the claims against them. Hallam was guilty of section 3(1) breaches and JH Construction of section 2(1) breaches. The companies will pay £80,000 and £50,000 respectively for the fines. Additional costs of £20,000 each were also charged. The additional costs will cover much of the court costs and any victim and witness fees. The fines are appropriately high according to the HSE since a death occurred.
