Health & Safety News Brief
Occupational Health & Safety Information Service

HSE warns of workplace transport dangers following prosecution of Stafford based manufacturer

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning companies to ensure that adequate precautions are being taken to prevent injuries from workplace transport accidents following a prosecution involving a skip delivery vehicle.

Hixon based manufacturer Sandmaster Ltd was recently fined £20,000 and costs of £4,500 at Stafford Magistrates' Court, after pleading guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation. The case brought by the (HSE), follows an investigation into the death of employee Mr Ivor William Babb, who was fatally struck by a skip delivery vehicle.

Speaking after the case HSE investigating inspector Andrew Bowker said:
"This was a tragic accident which could have been avoided.

Companies have a duty to ensure that appropriate safety measures are implemented to prevent injuries and pointless deaths such as this. It is vital that site and depot managers carry out a risk assessment to identify potential dangers to workers and put adequate solutions in place.

"HSE is warning site and depot managers of the risks posed to workers from workplace transport - 10 people in the West Midlands region were killed last year. It doesn't take a lot of organisation or money to put measures in place which can make a difference to people's working environment and even save lives."

The incident occurred when Mr Babb, a cleaner - at the company, was struck by a skip delivery vehicle when he was taking rubbish into the yard on 15 October 2004.
Sandmaster Ltd pleaded guilty to a breach of section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 at Stafford Magistrates' Court.

More information on the campaign can be found on the HSE's website at www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/workplacetransport/index.htm