The absence of adequate training and risk assessments led to the death of a lorry driver who was flung from his cab when it jack-knifed during unloading at a Readymix depot.
John Wootten, formerly trading as AEP Aggregates, was ordered to pay £1,700 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to breaching health and safety legislation at Croydon Crown Court. The prosecution followed a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into a fatal incident involving driver Joseph
Caruana.
Caruana had reversed his artic up a concrete ramp and activated the tipping mechanism in order to unload shingle at the RMC Readymix depot in Tower Hamlets, London. He engaged the tractor handbrake but not the trailer parking brake – and as he failed to release the tailgate the shingle load built up, causing the vehicle to skid down the ramp.
Caruana attempted to jump into the cab but was unable to shut the door. The vehicle jack-knifed, throwing him under the advancing wheels of the trailer. He died at the scene from multiple injuries.
HSE Inspector Charles Linfoot says it was "appalling" that Wootten ignored basic safety precautions. He adds: "Hauliers need to make sure they have safe systems of work, which include risk assessments, adequate training and supervision of all workers. These actions are simple and could have saved the life of Mr Caruana."
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