A Scottish haulier has been fined £3,750 after a mechanical loader broke free from a lorry and smashed into a car killing the front-seat passenger in July 2006 on the A9 in the Highlands. Munro & Sons (Highland) of Alness, Easter Ross, and driver Walter MacLennan, 64, of Dingwall, admitted health and safety breaches before the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday.
The 20-vehicle firm has been in business for more than 100 years and has had a blemish-free safety record until now, claims
managing director Bill Munro. Speaking to MT, Munro says: "The mechanical loader belonged to another firm. It failed to tell us that the handbrake on the machine was faulty before we transported it, so the machine was effectively free-wheeling on the back of the trailer."
"However, despite not knowing this information, we were still technically guilty of transporting a vehicle with faulty brakes so we had no alternative but to plead guilty," adds Munro. Speaking in court, judge Lord Brailsford expressed surprise there was no compulsory training for LGV drivers in securing loads. He said: "It seems to me that if such training had existed, then there is at least a possibility that the accident might not have taken place. I am very glad that the Health & Safety Executive is looking at this matter."
Reed Business Information Limited.©2008
