£2m fine for Travis Perkins after death

Roz Sanderson

Travis Perkins, a builders’ retailer, has been fined £2 million after the death of a customer in Milton Keynes.

Mark John Pointer was crushed by a company vehicle at Travis Perkins Trading Company Limited in Old Wolverton in November 2012.

Mr Pointer, 44, was loading planks of wood onto the roof rack of his Land Rover when he feel backwards onto the yard surface.

He was then run over by a company vehicle operating in the yard.

Mr Pointer died from crushing injuries.

Travis Perkins pleaded guilty to two offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

The company initially denied the causal link between the offences and the death but subsequently conceded that point.

Travis Perkins appeared at Amersham Crown Court last week, and was fined £2 million and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £114,812.76.

Martin Brown, Environmental Health Team Leader with Milton Keynes Council, said: “We are pleased with the result and fine imposed as it reiterates the importance of treating health and safety seriously.

“Individuals falling whilst loading and unloading vehicles is a common risk. The company had failed to ensure loading and unloading activities were undertaken in a safe manner in a safe area.”

In sentencing the company, Judge Justin Cole said he took the view that this “was an accident waiting to happen”.

Related Topics