£1million fine after worker killed by exploding tyre

Tyre firm sentenced for safety failings after loading shovel tyre explosion kills young employee

A KENT tyre company has been fined £1 million for safety failings after 21-year-old Matthew Hoare was killed when a tyre he was working on exploded.

Canterbury Crown Court heard how Mr Hoare, an employee of Watling Tyre Service Ltd, was repairing a puncture to the tyre of a Dresser loading shovel when the explosion occurred.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Hoare was working on his own with inadequate work equipment which was not properly maintained. Moreover, he was not trained or competent to undertake the work he had been told to complete.

After the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Mike Walters said: ‘Employees need to be provided with properly maintained equipment and the correct equipment to undertake tasks whilst out on site. Employees also need to be trained and competent in the tasks they are asked to undertake.’

Watling Tyre Service Ltd pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £1 million and ordered to pay costs of £99,485.