Corporate manslaughter prosecution after loading shovel death

A recycling firm has been fined more than £2m after an agency worker was killed when he was struck and run over by a loading shovel at its site in Hartlepool.

Dean Atkinson died when he was hit by the vehicle at Ward Recycling’s premises in January 2020.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said his death could have been prevented if the company, which has since gone into liquidation, had implemented an alternative traffic route for pedestrians.

The death of the 32-year-old prompted investigations from the HSE and Cleveland Police with Ward Recycling later being prosecuted.

The company was found guilty of corporate manslaughter and breaching health and safety regulations after a trial at Middlesbrough Crown Court last month.

The company was fined £1.75m for corporate manslaughter and £400,000 for the health and safety breach.

HSE inspector Stephen Garner said: “This tragic incident could easily have been avoided if Ward Recycling had implemented simple control measures.

“Following the incident, it took the company less than a week to put in place an alternative traffic route to protect pedestrians.

“Had this been in place before the incident, Dean Atkinson would not have lost his life.

“Sadly, pedestrians being struck by vehicles on waste sites has caused many fatal accidents on waste sites and the industry should be well aware of the risks.”