Schenker, the global provider of integrated logistics, has been fined £45,000 and ordered to pay £19,000 costs after one of its workers was crushed in a horrendous truck accident. Mark Treadwell was standing on the back of a lorry in front of a loading dock when his head was crushed between the vehicle and a wall when it reversed.
He had been trying to ensure dock-levelling equipment was laid flat as the driver manoeuvred
the truck into place. He suffered severe crush injuries, including facial lacerations, a fractured nose, brain stem bleeding, blurred vision, speech and balance problems and a perforated eardrum.
Schenker, based in Feltham, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching two sections of the Health and Safety at Work Act and a regulation of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations when it appeared at Basildon Crown Court.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warns employers to ensure adequate risk assessments are in place and all equipment is properly maintained. HSE inspector Julie Raynor says: "This tragic incident makes it clear to employers that they need to take positive action to maintain equipment. Had the company involved properly maintained the loading dock and carried out adequate risk assessments, this terrible incident could have been avoided."
Schenker was unavailable for comment.
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