Delivery Accident Leads to Grocery Supplier Facing Miserable £1m Fine Following Employee's Fatal Injury
News Article: Furniture Manufacturer Fined After Worker's Death
A furniture manufacturer based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire has been fined £1 million following the tragic death of a delivery driver in Manchester. The incident occurred on 19 February 2019, when the visiting contractor driver was struck by a reversing lorry in the yard of the furniture manufacturer.
The case was heard at Derbyshire Magistrates Court, where it was revealed that Lee Warburton, a father of three from Stockport, sustained fatal crush injuries during the incident. Bestway Northern Limited, the London-based grocery supplier, was found to have failed to implement a safe system of work for vehicle movements.
Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed that Mr. Warburton was acting as a banksman, directing a colleague who was reversing the HGV, when he became trapped between the vehicle and a wall. The company also failed to adequately assess the risks involved in the task or provide sufficient training for employees acting as banksmen.
Common causes of workplace accidents involving reversing Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) include limited driver visibility, the presence of pedestrians near reversing vehicles, lack of clear reversing routes, obstructions, and inadequate safety training or supervision. Preventive measures focus on minimizing these risks through procedural, environmental, and technological controls.
Site Safety Controls include establishing one-way systems and specific reversing routes, installing fixed mirrors, barriers, wheel stops, and well-lit parking/loading bays, separating and clearly signalling pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and maintaining appropriate lighting and surface markings.
Vehicle Safety Technology includes the use of AI-assisted cameras and sensors to eliminate blind spots and alert drivers to pedestrians or obstacles behind the vehicle, mandating safety features on HGVs, and ensuring compliance with safety ratings.
Operational Practices and Training involve thorough walk-around checks before reversing, engaging marshalls or banksmen to oversee manoeuvres, training HGV drivers and shunters in safe reversing techniques, hazard awareness, and situational checks, and avoiding reversing over long distances.
Legal and Risk Management involve conducting comprehensive health and safety risk assessments, ensuring employer consultation with employees about identified risks, maintaining regular vehicle servicing and checks, and complying with relevant legislation.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to these best practices and legal requirements to prevent accidents involving reversing HGVs.
In addition to the fine, Bestway Northern Limited was ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £11,950.07. The company pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Similar incidents have occurred in other industries, highlighting the need for vigilance and adherence to safety protocols. In recent years, a waste and recycling company in Oldham was fined £250,000 after a man was run over on his first day on the job, and the owners of Ginsters, a bakery where it makes its pasties, were fined £1.8m after an employee was killed by a lorry in a loading bay incident.
The loss of life in these incidents underscores the importance of prioritizing safety in the workplace, ensuring that all employees are adequately trained and that safety protocols are followed to the letter.
- The furniture manufacturing industry must prioritize safety in the workplace to avoid unfortunate incidents like the one that occurred in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.
- Proper regulation and adherence to safety protocols can prevent workplace accidents involving reversing Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs).
- Science and technology play a significant role in improving safety through vehicle safety technology and operational practices.
- Fitness and exercise, such as maintaining physical fitness and practicing mindfulness, can aid in workplace-wellness, reducing stress and improving situational awareness.
- Medical conditions, chronic diseases, and neurological disorders can impact an individual's ability to perform tasks safely, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to workplace safety.
- Chronic kidney disease, COPD, type-2 diabetes, cancer, and migraine are examples of health issues that can affect workers, necessitating accommodations and modifications.
- Respiratory conditions and digestive health are areas of concern for workers in various industries, including manufacturing and transportation.
- Eye-health and hearing are crucial for safety in the workplace, with noise exposure and hazardous substances posing potential risks.
- Health and wellness is a broad field that encompasses various aspects, including nutrition, mental health, and lifestyle choices, all of which impact workplace safety.
- The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) is responsible for investigating incidents like the one in Ilkeston and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Companies in industries with high-risk tasks, such as manufacturing and logistics, must prioritize safety training and supervision to minimize accidents.
- Therapies and treatments, such as medication and counseling, can help manage medical conditions and improve work performance.
- Multiple sclerosis, autoimmune disorders, and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of autoimmune disorders that can affect workers, requiring accommodation and support.
- Renewable energy companies must also prioritize safety, as the industry involves the handling of potential hazards, such as flammable materials and heavy machinery.
- Leadership plays a significant role in setting a culture of safety and ensuring that all employees are aware of their responsibilities in maintaining a safe workplace.
- Diversity and inclusion are essential in promoting a safe workplace, as a diverse workforce can bring fresh perspectives and ideas to safety protocols.
- The automotive industry, like manufacturing, faces significant safety challenges, with accidents involving reversing vehicles being a common issue.
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs in various industries, including retail and finance, must also prioritize safety to protect their employees and their businesses.
- Personal finance and banking, insurance, and investing all have their unique safety challenges, with cybersecurity being a major concern.
- Housing market and real-estate, commercial and residential, also require a focus on safety, with issues like lead paint and structural integrity being potential concerns.
- Venture capital, fintech, and the stock market are areas that also face safety risks, with data security being a significant concern in these digital-focused industries.
- The aviation industry, while having strict safety regulations, must remain vigilant to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of passengers and crew.
- Careers in the transportation sector, including public transit and automotive, require workers to prioritize safety to protect themselves and the general public.
- The energy sector, particularly oil and gas, presents significant safety challenges, with hazardous substances and heavy machinery posing potential risks.
- The retail industry must also prioritize safety, with employee safety and customer safety being equally important.
- The importance of safety extends beyond the workplace, impacting sectors like public transit and entrepreneurship, where the safety of passengers and consumers is paramount.
- The housing market, real-estate, commercial, and residential all require a focus on safety, with structural integrity, lead paint, and other hazards being potential concerns.
- CBD, derived from the cannabis plant, is one of the innovative solutions in the health and wellness industry, offering potential treatments for various conditions, including chronic pain and anxiety, but it is essential to ensure its safety and efficacy.
