Worker crushed to death between two vehicles

Waste-management and plant hire firm fined £300,000 after worker killed by reversing tipper lorry

A WASTE-management and plant hire company in Derbyshire has been fined £300,000 after a worker was fatally crushed between two vehicles while refuelling.

Derby Crown Court heard how 39-year-old Matthew Lambert was refuelling his road sweeper at the yard of Leedale Ltd on 26 November 2013 when the incident occurred. The refuelling point on the sweeper vehicle was at the rear, and it was while he was refuelling that a tipper lorry reversed into him. Mr Lambert was crushed between the two vehicles and died of catastrophic head injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there were no marked or identified vehicle and pedestrian routes at the site. Moreover, there were no rules or control of reversing manoeuvres, and the lighting at the site was poor and below the required standard.

Leedale Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £50,737.