A waste firm has been fined £268,000 after a member of the public was run over by one of its skip wagons and died.
The woman was collecting wood from Martins of York when she was struck by the lorry on 29 January 2020. She later died from her injuries.
The HSE said she regularly attended the site with another woman to collect wood but that the company had failed to put in place appropriate measures to control access into the main yard area.
This allowed unrestricted access to the site so visitors, including members of the public, were exposed to risks from moving vehicles.
The HSE added that Martins of York employees working as hand pickers within the yard were also put at risk of being struck by moving vehicles within the area.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and as well as the fine it was ordered to pay £10,130 in costs at York Magistrates’ Court.
HSE inspector Darian Dundas said: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“It is hoped that this will remind the waste industry of the need to ensure that workplace transport is appropriately considered, with control measures introduced to ensure the appropriate separation of vehicles and pedestrians.”
