Haulage firms fined £2.2m after employee killed by HGV

Two haulage firms have been fined a combined total of £2.2m after a depot manager was killed by a reversing HGV.

The family of Neil Roberts, 60, have paid tribute to their “loving dad” and “caring husband” after Roberts was struck by the truck at the premises of The Haulage Group (previously known as Howell Group) in August 2019.

Roberts, who was the depot manager of Turners (Soham) was killed when a vehicle reversed out of a parking space in the transport yard.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found both companies had failed to manage the risk associated with workplace transport.

A statement issued by Roberts’ family said: “Dad has left a massive hole in all of our lives, and nothing will be able to fill that.

“Not a day goes by where we don’t think of him and wish he was still here with us and how unfair it all is.

“Nearly four years have passed, and every happy moment since has been tinged with sadness and every happy moment going forward will be tinged with sadness as Dad isn’t here”.

Turners (Soham) plead guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £1.9m and ordered to pay costs of £7,300.

The Haulage Group also plead guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,300.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Principal Inspector Amy Kalay said: “This tragic incident was completely preventable.

“Both companies failed to recognise and control the risks associated with workplace transport, and in particular the dangers of reversing vehicles and poor visibility.

“The principle of ensuring pedestrians and vehicles are kept apart is well known and the measures needed to ensure separation and control the risk need not be complicated.

“If the companies had acted to identify and manage the risks involved, and to put a safe system of work in place, this incident would not have happened.”