Industry news
Firm fined over death of worker
Posted Wed, 10 Feb
Dudley Metropolitan Council has been ordered to pay £50,000 in fines and costs over the death of a worker. George Pagett was struck and killed by a wheeled shovel loader while working at the council's Lister Road Depot in Netherton on October 27 2006.
The vehicle was being driven by Michael Lilley at the time of the accident. Lilley, 62, pleaded guilty to two breaches of Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £750 and ordered to pay £500 in costs.
Wolverhampton Combined Court heard how Lilley had driven the loader the wrong way around a one-way system with the shovel at a height that obstructed his view.
Lilley did not see Mr Pagett, who was wearing a high-visibility jacket. Workers shouted a warning but the vehicle did not stop, with the bucket at the front of the loader hitting Mr Pagett in the upper back. Dudley Metropolitan Council was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
HSE Inspector David Price said: "Drivers need to obey signs and instructions in workplaces, just as closely as they would obey them on a public highway."
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