Absent fire equipment
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• A failure by a driver to collect a fire extinguisher when carrying a mixed load including fireworks, cost United Carriers ..C700 in fines and costs when the company appeared before the Wells Street magistrates, London.
Allegations that the company had broken carriage of explosives regulations was dropped by the prosecution after United Carriers admitted that fireworks had been carried without a fire extinguisher on the vehicle.
Prosecuting for the Health & Safety Executive, Philip Taylor said that when the vehicle was stopped in a routine check the driver had been unable to produce a fire extinguisher. Defending, Jonathan Lawton said the driver was extensively trained at United Carriers' expense. The consignment notes relating to the fireworks were distinctive, and included tremcard information. Any driver checking the consignment notes would have been aware that fireworks were being carried.
Lawton argued that it is impractical to equip every vehicle with a fire extinguisher.
He said that the company had taken all reasonable precautions and had not been negligent.