Company fined after worker crushed by truck

Investigators found there was a poor safety culture at Hawkins Logistics

A company where a worker was crushed to death between vehicles has been fined.

Shane Smithyman was working at Hawkins Logistics, Staffordshire, in November 2019 when the truck he was operating became uncoupled.

Investigators found the vehicle was not properly maintained and there was a poor safety culture at the firm.

At Telford Magistrates' Court, the company admitted failing to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees and was fined £866,000.

At Thursday's hearing, the company was also ordered to pay costs of more than £50,000.

Mr Smithyman died in hospital a few days after the incident on 22 November as a result of his injuries.

'Poor safety culture'

Laura Nichols, who led the investigation for Cannock Chase Council, said there had been no safe system of work in place for the task Mr Smithyman had been doing.

She added training and supervision had been inadequate and the Rugeley-based company had previously failed to act on the advice of external consultants.

Councillor Andrea Muckley said: “This is a tragic case. Transport operations are among the highest risk workplace activities.

“Had the necessary risk assessments been undertaken by the company, the circumstances that led to this fatality would have been anticipated and avoided.”

She said injuries on vehicle runways were one of the highest causes of death in the transport industry and it was vital operators had safety measures in place to protect employees.

Nobody from Hawkins Logistics Ltd was available for comment when approached by the BBC.