A haulage firm employee was hit on the head when metal ducting weighing 28kg fell from the top of a double-decker trailer. The blow fractured his skull.

An investigation by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) found the haulage firm had failed to put in place controls to stop the incident happening and had not followed safe working practices.

The haulage contractor had:

• not implemented the procedures it had drawn up for unloading trailers at depots
• not properly told employees about site pedestrian and vehicle segregation rules
• done little about rules not being followed

Guilty plea

Maxi Haulage Limited pleaded guilty to breaking the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

It was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay costs of £53,400.

The HSE say the incident could easily have been avoided by simply putting in place suitable control measures and safe working practices.

The HSE stress organisations should be aware it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who fall below the required standards.