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Gloucestershire Business News

Transport company fined almost half a million for death of employee

A transport company has been ordered to pay almost half a million pounds in fines and costs after the death of a 69-year-old lorry driver who fell from the trailer of his vehicle while unstrapping the load at a door company depot in Fairford, Gloucestershire.

At Cheltenham Magistrates Court earlier this week, District Judge Nicholas Wattam fined Devereux Development Ltd of Billingham, Cleveland, £480,000 plus costs of £12,053.06 and a victim surcharge of £170.

The firm had pleaded guilty in April to failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of employees, including Mr Christopher Barnes, who died following the fall at Cotswold Doors Limited, Whelford Road Industrial Estate, Fairford, Gloucestershire, on April 23, 2018.

An inquest jury found in May 2019 that Mr Barnes died an accidental death after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage from the 2.3 metre fall from the palletized load on his truck.

Following the inquest, however, the Gloucestershire Coroner Katie Skerrett submitted a report designed to prevent similar deaths in future.

She sent the report to Cotswold Doors Ltd, Devereux Developments Ltd and the Health and Safety Executive.

In her report she described the circumstances of Mr Barnes' tragic fall.

"On the 23rd of April, 2018 he was delivering doors in his curtained side HGV to a company in Fairford," she stated. "Employees of this company unloaded the HGV.

"During this process Mr Barnes climbed up onto the bed of the lorry. He then climbed up onto the palletised load.

"Whilst attempting to untangle the straps which were used to secure the load, he took a step back and fell from the lorry, impacting with the concrete floor below. He fell approximately 2.3 metres.

"He was initially unconscious and was transferred by ambulance to the regional specialist unit.

"CT investigations demonstrated that he had sustained significant head injuries. He underwent operative intervention.

"Post operatively his condition steadily deteriorated. He passed away as a result of his injuries at 22.05 hours on April 24, 2018.

"During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. Whilst the haulage company and the destination company involved in this incident have addressed all the health and safety concerns surrounding this area of practice, in my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.

"The matters of concern are as follows: whether consignees and consigners and their employees have sufficient understanding of the hazards and risks associated with working at height on a vehicle or vehicle trailer and whether they ensure an appropriate level of safety and have in place sufficient control measures to satisfy their legal obligations.

"In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action."

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