SHP Online is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.
South West Highways Limited (SWHL) was recently fined after the death of a worker who was struck by a vehicle.
Exeter Crown Court heard how the 48-year old employee was working with colleagues to repair roads in Tiverton, Devon on 29 January 2013 when he sustained fatal injuries after being struck by a vehicle being driven by a member of the public
The Health and Safety Executive’s investigation found the company failed to adequately identify the risks associated with the road repair work and moving traffic, and as a result the appropriate control measures were not implemented.
Planning failure
The HSE adds that this incident could have been prevented had SWHL implemented the correct safety measures including signage, temporary speed limits, temporary traffic management and even closure of the road for a short period of time. It was found the planning for this work activity had failed to consider the most appropriate way to manage traffic while carrying out the road repairs.
South West Highways Limited of Rockbeare Hill, Exeter, Devon pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
The company was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay costs of £17,924.46.
Alarming failures
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Caroline Penwill said: “The failures exposed in this case are alarming, given the clear and obvious risks associated with roadside work and highlight the importance of managing short term works on a high speed road.
“This incident could have been prevented had South West Highways implemented suitable traffic management for this work.”
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]
Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders
In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="82165"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Listen now!" color="success" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shponline.co.uk%2Fpodcasts%2Fapproaches-to-managing-the-risks-associated-musculoskeletal-disorders%2F|title:Listen%20today!"][/vc_column][/vc_row]
‘Alarming failures’ lead to £500k fineSouth West Highways Limited (SWHL) was recently fined after the death of a worker who was struck by a vehicle.
Alison Fava
SHP - Health and Safety News, Legislation, PPE, CPD and Resources
Related Topics
Recycling company fined £1.2m after worker hit by a wagon
Shipping Services company fined after worker loses finger
Company and director fined after workers exposed to asbestos