Health and Safety News

The hearing in a fatal accident case, which claimed the life of an employee in 2004 drew to a close recently, turning the spotlight on the importance of proper equipment maintenance at workplaces. Following the judgement, the HSE has reiterated the need for regular and comprehensive equipment maintenance by employers.

The accident occurred when an 1100 litre recycling bin came loose from the bin hoist on the recycling lorry and fell onto the employee standing below. The garbage collector, David Ives, was killed from the head injuries he sustained. He was collecting refuse from a bin located outside Easington pub, near Aylesbury.

The employer, Veolia ES (UK) Ltd, which was earlier known as Onyx UK Ltd was charged with violations of two sections- 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. A fine of £130,000 and costs of £220,000 were imposed on the company by the Aylesbury Crown Court where the hearing was conducted.

Speaking about the accident, HSE Inspector, Dennis MacWilliam stated that this tragedy could have been averted if the employer had taken care to ensure that the equipment used at work was safe for use and in good condition. Simple maintenance and testing procedures could have saved the victim’s life, he said. MacWilliam also emphasized the fact that the law requires employers to take all necessary safety precautions to ensure employees are not put at risk.

Richard Berry, ED Veolia ES UK Ltd, expressed his sympathies to the family of the deceased employee and said that accidents at workplace must be averted at all costs. He insisted that safety has always been a priority at Veolia with all possible precautions being taken every time. However, the jury felt that these were not up to mark to prevent the accident which claimed Ives’s life, he said.