Turners and The Haulage Group have been fined a combined total of £2.2 million for health and safety failings that resulted in the death of an employee.

Neil Roberts, 60, was a depot manager of Turners (Soham) when he was struck by a reversing HGV on August 30, 2019.

The fatal incident happened in the transport yard of The Haulage Group, (previously known as Howell Group), on Inkerman Street, Birmingham, when the vehicle reversed out of a parking space.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the companies had failed to manage the risk associated with workplace transport.

Roberts was struck by a reversing HGV at this depot on Inkerman Street in Birmingham

Turners (Soham), of Fordham Road, Newmarket, Suffolk, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £1.9m and ordered to pay costs of £7,300.

The Haulage Group, of Unit 28 Maybrook Business Park, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,300.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector, Amy Kalay, said: “This tragic incident was completely preventable.

“Both companies failed to recognise and control the risks associated with workplace transport, and in particular the dangers of reversing vehicles and poor visibility.

“The principle of ensuring pedestrians and vehicles are kept apart is well known and the measures needed to ensure separation and control the risk need not be complicated.

Source Fleetnews