Transport Company Fined £400,000 After Driver Death
Arnold Laver & Company Ltd was fined £400,000 and ordered to pay costs of £19,841.99 after an employee was killed loading and unloading a trailer. The incident took place while an employee was delivering timber to a company in Whaddon, near Salisbury. The worker climbed onto the bed of the trailer to sling the load and attach it to the vehicle-mounted crane. While moving the load using the crane’s remote control, he was struck by the crane and fell from the vehicle onto the ground. He subsequently died from the injuries sustained.
An investigation by the HSE found that the company had failed to properly assess the risk of falls associated with working from height. Additionally, the company had not provided employees with adequate training on the safe operation of the vehicle’s remote crane controls. On 13th October 2022, Arnold Laver & Company Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
What Could Have Been Done?
Such a tragic accident serves as a cautionary case about the vital importance of following HSE regulations. Regrettably, falls from vehicles can be overlooked by employers when assessing working-at-height risks. Employers can fulfil their obligations by conducting thorough risk assessments for all work types. Additionally, employers should implement comprehensive training to ensure workers are competent in machinery use, including remote-controlled devices.