A South Cumbrian firm has been fined £60,000 after a worker was killed.
Stuart Garnett, 44, was working at H Wicks (Lindal) Limited’s waste and recycling facility when he was struck by a reversing telehandler on May 12 2022 in Barrow.
He subsequently died of his injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive found that H Wicks (Lindal) Limited failed to ensure the site was organised in such a way that pedestrians and vehicles could circulate in a safe manner.
H Wicks (Lindal) Limited, of Scarth Road, Sowerby Woods Business Park, Barrow, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The company was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay £6,624.75 costs at Warrington Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
A statutory surcharge of £2,000 was also imposed.
HSE principal inspector Caroline Shorrock said: “Stuart Garnet’s death was an avoidable tragedy, and our thoughts are with his friends and family.
“Every year, a significant number of workplace accidents, many of them serious and sometimes fatal, occur because of poor separation of pedestrians and vehicles.
“Had the company implemented suitable separation measures, this fatal injury would not have occurred.
“The fine imposed on H Wicks (Lindal) Limited should serve as a clear reminder to everyone in the waste and recycling industry that HSE will hold to account those who fail to keep their workers safe.”
