HGV firm prosecuted following workplace accident

Health & Safety update - 17/6/2011

A Blackburn-based heavy goods vehicle company has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive following a work accident.

JDS Trucks Ltd – which carries out sale and repairs on HGV vehicles from its Forrest Street garage – employed the male worker as a repair man.

The 47-year old worker had climbed onto the roof of a large truck to check whether a wind deflector was needed. However, he slipped and fell three metres whilst trying to step down onto a ladder from the top of the truck. He fractured his elbow and hip in the accident and needed four months off work to fully recover.

Following the incident, the HSE carried out an investigation which revealed that the ladder had not been securely fitted and there were no other colleagues around to help the man.

JDS Trucks Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 at Accrington Magistrates' Court. The firm was fined £9,900 plus costs of £4,613.

Shellie Bee, HSE Inspector, said, “He [the worker] was off work for several months as a result of his injuries but could have suffered permanent injuries or even been killed.

"Ladders do have a use in the workplace and in some situations are appropriate with the correct training and if they're properly secured. In this case, the incident occurred as the ladder was not secured, no training had been given and no safe system of work existed to complete the job safety,” she added.