Haulage firm fined after worker crushed

Warwick Crown Court heard that a Maxi Haulage Limited employee was injured at a site in Cape Road Warwick, when a piece of metal ducting, six metres long and weighing 28kg, fell from the top deck of the trailer, hitting him on his head. The blow caused serious, life changing injuries, including a fractured skull.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident on 3 February 2015, found that this site had not implemented systems and procedures for unloading of trailers at depots, produced by Maxi Haulage. It was also found employees were not properly informed about pedestrian and vehicle segregation rules, and little was done about the work not being followed.

Maxi Haulage Limited, of Elliott House, Kilwinning Road, Irvine, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and have been fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £53,401.

Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Mark Austin said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply implementing suitable control measures and safe working practices. The company itself had identified and easily implemented the necessary measures after this tragic event.

“Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”