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eath crash haulier has licence revoked
Page 22
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Scottish IC disqualifies directors and former director as well as stripping firm of its 0-licence
FOLLOWING LAST WEEK'S decision by Scottish Traffic Commissioner Joan Aitken to revoke the 0-licence held by Alness-based Munro & Sons (Highland), more information has emerged from the public inquiry into the activities of the firm, which had previously appeared at a PI in 1997, 2004 and 2005 when vehicle maintenance was the issue.The TC called the latest inquiry because of concerns over the firm's maintenance record, and after a health and safety conviction following a fatal accident when a machine came off a low loader and collided with a car in 2006.
In January, the group was fined £.30,000 as a result of that incident Vehicle examiner Michael Howden said that since the last public inquiry, 28 prohibitions had been issued to its vehicles.
• In January 2008, a four-axle truck with a demountable skip container body towing a two-axle drawbar trailer, also with a demountable skip container body, was checked. The securing clamps on the ve hide and trailer were ineffective because the rails on the skip body containers were deformed. This meant the vehicle skips were secured by only half the means available, jeopardising load security and road safety. The securing clamps were visible and 'S' marked immediate prohibition was imposed.
• In February 2007, a vehicle carrying a skip container rolled onto its nearside. The vehicle had no defects but the security of the skip container was questioned.
• In November 2008, a trailer detached from a vehicle combination and its drawbar coupling was found to have a defective warning locking device. The examiner felt that when the trailer was coupled debris within the lower coupling had prevented the pin from fully engaging.
• In February 2009, a vehicle towing a trailer with two skips was stopped and an S' endorsed immediate prohibition was imposed for an insecure skip. The rear skip was not secured to the trailer.
• Evidence was given by police officers that in January 2008,a vehicle and trailer carrying detachable skips were checked and neither skip was properly secured.
• In November 2008, a trailer became detached and struck a car, trapping the driver causing head and facial injuries. An engineer concluded that due to poor maintenance the tow bar hitch had most probably been levered up by the towing eye, allowing the trailer to break free.
In addition to revoking the firm's 0-licence, Aitken disqualified directors David and William Munro from holding an 0-licence for seven years and former director Pamela Munro for two years. The TC said there had been three very bad failures at annual test in 2008 and an `S marked prohibition had had to be imposed. It was abundantly clear that the load on the vehicle involved in the fatal accident was not secured properly. The chains were old, defective and insufficient for the loading to which they would be stressed. It had been the grossest error of judgement to undertake the journey with that equipment. The firm's failings had been responsible for the death of one car passenger and the serious injury of two car drivers.
• The company has confirmed to Commercial Motor that it intends to appeal against the TC's decision (CM 28 May).