SCC fined £400,000 for double dumper fatality

Scottish Coal Company (SCC) has been fined £400,000 after two men lost their lives when a dumper truck ran over their vehicle at the company’s Pennyvennie site, in Dalmellington, East Ayrshire.

Colin Fergusson and Brian French were killed in February last year when their vehicle was crushed by a 100tonne capacity dump truck after the operator failed to seem them because they were in a blind spot.

SCC pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The court ruled that the firm had not done everything “as far as reasonably practical” to ensure employees were not exposed to risks.

HSE Inspector Norrie Buchanan said: "Earth-moving vehicles such as dump trucks or bulldozers have poor visual fields due to their large size. It is crucial that additional steps are taken to ensure that the drivers of these dump trucks are aware of other smaller vehicles around them.

"Control measures to reduce the risk are easily available at a minimal cost. Installing an additional camera on the side of the dump truck, fitting a raised roof beacon or other means of improving visibility on the Landrover could prevent similar incidents in the future."