Concrete supplier fined after tyre explosion fatality
Safety failures result in death of agency worker whilst inflating tyre on articulated wheel loader
WEST Midlands-based concrete suppliers Anytime Concrete (GB) Ltd have been fined £6,666 after an agency worker contracted to work at their site suffered fatal injuries following a tyre explosion.
Dudley Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 28 March 2019, the contractor suffered fatal injuries when using an air hose/compressed air to inflate the tyre of an articulated wheel loader.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident found that the company failed to have in place a safe system of work for inflation of the multi-piece, split-rim-assembly wheels on the loader. Moreover, the compressed-air system had not been subject to regular and thorough examination and testing by a competent person.
Anytime Concrete pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. and were fined £6,666 and ordered to pay costs of £4,522.40.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Karen Sweeney said: ‘This tragic incident led to the death of a worker. This could easily have been prevented if the company had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place.’
