Company fined over £900,000 following crushing fatality

A company has been fined over £900,000 after a worker was struck and killed by a reversing vehicle. The sentencing took place at Chester Crown Court, after the worker, Wayne Syme, was killed by a reversing dumper truck on a construction site in Macclesfield in 2019.

Mr Syme, a drainage operative, was struck by the dumper truck driven by a colleague and suffered fatal crush injuries. He died at the scene.

The investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to ensure that workers and vehicles were kept apart in an effective way by implementing separate walkways and driving routes. They were also found to have failed in ensuring that the dumper truck driver's line of sight was not obstructed.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £950,000 and ordered to pay £40,523.38 in costs.

Commenting on the case, HSE inspector Peter Pallot said: "This was an entirely preventable death. The risk of workers being struck by moving vehicles on construction sites is well known and the law is clear on the precautions required."

Managing the risks of vehicles in the workplace

Vehicle-related accidents account for a significant proportion of workplace fatalities each year. To manage the risks associated with vehicles in the workplace, employers should consider:

• Ensuring that vehicles and pedestrians are effectively separated using physical barriers, marked walkways, and clearly defined traffic routes.
• Conducting regular risk assessments to identify and address any vehicle-related hazards on site.
• Providing appropriate training to all vehicle operators, including induction training and regular refresher courses.
• Installing visibility aids such as mirrors, cameras, and proximity warning systems on vehicles.