DHL fined £80,000 following driver death
Page 9
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
CM COVER STORY roger_brown ra rb co.uk DHL HAS BEEN FINED £80,000 after one of its drivers suffered fatal head injuries at an Imperial Tobacco site nearly three years ago.
Nottingham Crown Court heard last week how in September 2007. HGV driver Gary Brooks, 42, was trying to collect a loaded trailer from the facility on the Lenton Industrial Estate in Nottingham.
As Brooks was attempting to attach the trailer to his cab, the truck gradually rolled forward, trapping him between the front of the vehicle and a building.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that drivers working for both DHL and Imperial did not routinely apply the trailer brakes to make sure the vehicles were safely parked. Some drivers had not been properly trained or assessed and no checks had been carried out to monitor the use of trailer brakes in the yard.
DHL pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches and was fined £80.000. with costs of E.35.800. Imperial Tobacco pleaded guilty to the same breaches and was fined £80,000, with costs of £.31,000.
Both companies had identified the risk to workers, hut had failed to implement appropriate control measures.
Their method of working ignored published safety guidance. which meant that drivers, other employees, visitors and third-party contractors were all at risk.
A DHL spokeswoman says that following the incident the company has worked closely with vehicle and trailer manufacturers to secure the incorporation of new technology into its vehicles to prevent vehicle rollaway incidents occurring.
She adds: "Since this accident. the company has undertaken a UK-wide communication programme to continually remind our drivers of the importance in applying their tractor unit handbrakes before leaving their vehicles, the use of trailer park brakes and the necessity to follow the documented safe systems of work associated with coupling and uncoupling of vehicles."