Published: Wednesday, 22nd October, 2008 12:30
Haulage firm fined over driver's death
By Hamish Hutchinson
Print Article
A GLASGOW-based haulage firm has been fined £5000 for breaking health and safety rules which led to the death of a Tillicoultry man.
Carntyne Transport Ltd pleaded guilty at Cupar Sheriff Court on Thursday for failing to provide a safe place and safe systems of work for its employees.
The case followed the death of driver James Hutchinson (57) whose body was found at 6.30am on 9 February 2007 by two farm workers.
It is thought he had fallen three metres from the midpoint of his tanker after setting the valves for a delivery of liquid animal feed.
There was no safety rail on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning about the dangers of falling from vehicles.
HSE Inspector Robert Fraser said, “Mr Hutchinson’s death was entirely preventable and arose from the clear failure to carry out a risk assessment and ensure there was safe access to the top of the vehicle.
“Although Workplace Transport injuries form a fairly small part of all accidents at work, they are more likely to result in serious injuries and much more likely to lead to fatalities.
“HSE figures have shown that every week one person dies from a slip, trip or fall at work and every 25 minutes, someone breaks or fractures a bone at work. This is unacceptable and employers should ensure that they do everything in their power to prevent this type of accident occurring.”
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