Carntyne Transport has been fined £5,000 after one of its drivers died when he fell from the top of his tanker because the Glasgow company had failed to provide a safe place to work.
James Hutchinson was found by three farm workers after falling three metres from the midpoint of his vehicle after setting the valves for a delivery of liquid animal feed.
Cupar Sheriff Court heard there was no safety rail on the driver's side of the vehicle. Carntyne Transport, part of John G Russell Transport and involved in the transportation of bulk food and drink products, including cask and bulk whisky and molasses, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires employers to provide a safe place and safe systems of work.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) says it is "unacceptable" that every week one person dies from a slip, trip or fall and every 25 minutes someone breaks or fractures a bone at work.
HSE inspector Robert Fraser adds: "Mr Hutchinson's death was entirely preventable and arose from the clear failure to carry out a risk assessment and ensure there was safe access to the top of the vehicle." The company did not comment on the outcome.